For September’s 5 on 5 we have 5 resources on Blastomycosis.
- Government of Canada. Blastomycosis. Includes causes, symptoms, risks, treatment, prevention, surveillance, and for health professionals.
- Miceli A, Krishnamurthy K. Blastomycosis. 2023.
“Blastomycosis is a fungal infection caused by the organism Blastomyces dermatitidis, which is endemic in the soils of the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys, Great Lakes region, and the southeastern United States.[1] It most commonly presents as a pulmonary infection following the inhalation of spores, which may be asymptomatic and, therefore, undetectable, though severe, life-threatening complications like acute respiratory distress syndrome can occur. Extrapulmonary disease occurs in approximately 25% to 30% of patients after hematogenous dissemination from the lungs, with the skin being the most common site of extrapulmonary disease.[2] Primary cutaneous blastomycosis, though rare, can occur due to direct inoculation after trauma to the skin. Unlike other deep fungal infections that occur predominantly in immunocompromised patients, blastomycosis also occurs in immunocompetent hosts.”
“Blastomycosis is a pulmonary disease caused by inhaling spores of the dimorphic fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis. Occasionally, the fungi spread hematogenously, causing extrapulmonary disease. Symptoms result from pneumonia or from dissemination to multiple organs, most commonly the skin. Diagnosis is clinical, by chest x-ray, or both and is confirmed by laboratory identification of the fungi. Treatment is with itraconazole, fluconazole, or amphotericin B.”
- National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases. Blastomycosis Disease Debrief.
“Questions Addressed in this debrief: What are important characteristics of Blastomycosis? What is happening with current outbreaks of Blastomycosis? What is the current risk for Canadians from Blastomycosis? What measures should be taken for a suspected Blastomycosis case or contact?”
- Tat J, Nadarajah J, Kus J. Blastomycosis. CMAJ. 2023; 195(29): E984.
“Although rates of blastomycosis in Canada remain low outside of historically endemic areas, the range for Blastomyces now includes Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario — the Kenora area has the highest global rates — and the eastern United States.1–3 Changes in climate and land use are hypothesized to be causing the expansion.2 Although a travel and exposure history remains important to differential diagnosis, cases are increasingly described in patients who have not travelled to traditional endemic areas.”
