Blastomycosis, also known as South American blastomycosis, is an infectious disease caused by inhaling the spores of the fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis , which can affect the lungs or spread through the bloodstream, giving rise to the disseminated or extrapulmonary form of the disease.
The transmission of blastomycosis occurs through the inhalation of the fungus spores that are dispersed in the air, which, when entering the airways, take refuge in the lungs, where they grow and cause inflammation. Blastomyces dermatitidis is considered an opportunistic fungus, and there may be infection both in people who have diseases that compromise the immune system, and in people who are healthy, as long as they have a decrease in the immune system due to any factor, such as stress or cold, for example. example.
Pulmonary blastomycosis, which is the most common form of blastomycosis, is curable as long as treatment is started as quickly as possible, otherwise the fungus can multiply easily and reach other organs, such as skin, bone and nervous system, causing death.
Symptoms of Blastomycosis
The symptoms of blastomycosis are related to where the fungus is located. The most frequent form of blastomycosis is pulmonary, in which the fungus is lodged in the lungs, which can cause the following symptoms:
- Fever; Dry or car cough; Chest pain; Difficulty breathing; Chills; Excessive sweating.
If the person's immune system is very weak, the fungus can multiply and easily reach the bloodstream, reaching other organs and leading to the appearance of other symptoms, such as:
- Cutaneous blastomycosis, in which the fungus reaches the skin and leads to the appearance of single or multiple lesions on the skin, which, as they grow, form atrophied scars; Osteoarticular blastomycosis, which happens when the fungus reaches bones and joints, leaving the site swollen, warm and sensitive; Genital blastomycosis, which is characterized by genital lesions and is more frequent in men, with swelling of the epididymis and increased sensitivity of the prostate, for example; Nerve blastomycosis, in which the fungus reaches the central nervous system and causes abscesses to appear and, if left untreated, can result in meningitis.
If the person notices any of the signs and symptoms indicative of blastomycosis, it is important to go to the general practitioner or infectious disease so that the diagnosis can be made and treatment can be started. The diagnosis of blastomycosis is made by the doctor based on the evaluation of symptoms, the result of chest radiography and laboratory tests, in which the fungal structures must be observed microscopically for the infection to be confirmed.
Treatment of Blastomycosis
The treatment of blastomycosis is done according to the person's general health and severity of the disease. Typically, patients who are not considered to be serious are treated with Itraconazole orally. However, people whose disease is at a more advanced stage or have a contraindication to the use of Itraconazole, the doctor may recommend the use of Amphotericin B.
The prevention of Blastomycosis is not always possible, as fungal spores circulate easily in the air. Areas near rivers, lakes and swamps are areas where this type of fungus frequently exists.
