BlastomycosisSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Blastomycosis
Blastomycosis is an infection caused by breathing in the Blastomyces dermatitidis fungus. This fungus is found in decaying wood and soil.
North American blastomycosis; Gilchrist disease
You can get blastomycosis by contact with moist soil, most commonly where there is rotting wood and leaves. The fungus enters the body through the lungs, where the infection starts. The fungus can then spread to other parts of the body. The disease may affect the skin, bones and joints, and other areas.
Blastomycosis is rare. It occurs in the central and southeastern United States, and in Canada, India, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Africa.
The key risk factor for the disease is contact with infected soil. It most often affects people with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS or who have had an organ transplant, but it can also infect healthy people. Men are more likely to be affected than women.
Lung infection may not cause any symptoms. Symptoms may be seen if the infection spreads. Symptoms may include:
- Joint pain
- Chest pain
- Cough (may produce brown or bloody mucus)
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Night sweats
- General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise)
- Muscle pain
- Unintentional weight loss
Most people develop skin symptoms when the infection spreads. You may get papules, pustules, or nodules on exposed body areas.
The pustules:
- May look like warts or ulcers
- Are usually painless
- Vary in color from gray to violet
- May appear in the nose and mouth
- Bleed easily and form ulcers
You may not need to take medicine for a mild blastomycosis infection that stays in the lungs. Your provider may recommend the following antifungal medicines when the disease is severe or spreads outside of the lungs.
- Fluconazole
- Itraconazole
- Ketoconazole
Amphotericin B may be used for severe infections.
Follow up regularly with your provider to make sure the infection does not return.
UPMC Transplant Services - Cardiothoracic
Chadi Hage is a Transplant Surgeon practicing medicine in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Hage is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Blastomycosis. He is also highly rated in 14 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Blastomycosis, Acute Pulmonary Histoplasmosis, Bronchiolitis Obliterans, Pulmonary Fibrosis, and Lung Transplant. Dr. Hage is board certified in American Board Of Internal Medicine and American Board Of Internal Medicine. Dr. Hage is currently accepting new patients.
Ballad Health Medical Associates Pulmonology And Sleep
. Dr. Mcsharry is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Blastomycosis. He is also highly rated in 1 other condition, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Blastomycosis, Hypovolemic Shock, Pneumonia, Pleurisy, and Advanced Bronchoscopy. Dr. Mcsharry is board certified in American Board Of Internal Medicine.
Family Practice Center
Dennis Baumgardner is a primary care provider, practicing in Family Medicine in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Dr. Baumgardner is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Blastomycosis. He is also highly rated in 2 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Blastomycosis, Familial Chronic Mucocutaneous Candidiasis, Bronchitis, and Boils.
People with minor skin sores (lesions) and mild lung infections usually recover completely. The infection can lead to death if not treated.
Complications of blastomycosis may include:
- Large sores with pus (abscesses)
- Skin sores can lead to scarring and loss of skin color (pigment)
- Return of the infection (relapse or disease recurrence)
- Side effects from medicines such as amphotericin B
Contact your provider if you have symptoms of blastomycosis.
Avoiding travel to areas where the infection is known to occur may help prevent exposure to the fungus, but this may not always be possible.
Published Date: August 29, 2024
Published By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Roy and Diana Vagelos Professor in Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, New York, NY. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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Gauthier GM, Klein BS. Blastomycosis. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 264.
Thompson GR, Miceli MH. Endemic mycoses. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 308.