European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

PULMONARY BLASTOMYCOSIS: AN OVERVIEW

Anu George* and Akesh Thomas

ABSTRACT

Blastomycosis is an uncommon disease, with most reported in North America. The endemic areas are the Mississippi and Ohio river valleys. Pulmonary blastomycosis is more common than extrapulmonary blastomycosis. Although largely unknown, inhalation of spores from the soil is considered to be the route of infection. Most cases of pulmonary blastomycosis are asymptomatic, when symptomatic minimal respiratory symptoms are the most common presentation. Severe disease, including dissemination and acute respiratory distress syndrome, can occur in immunosuppressed patients. Urinary antigen testing and antibody assays are of poor diagnostic specificity; culture and identification of the organism are necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Amphotericin B and itraconazole are the mainstays of treatment, and treatment recommendations vary based on the patient's immune status and severity of the infection.

Keywords: Blastomycosis, pulmonary, fungus.