An outbreak of human and canine blastomycosis.
In the summer and fall of 1988, three humans and one dog in a lakeshore community in northern Wisconsin were found to have blastomycosis on the basis of the results of cultures and histologic studies; the infection was also suspected in one human and four dogs on the basis of clinical data. Serologic testing with use of enzyme immunoassay for antibody to the A antigen of Blastomyces dermatitidis was performed for 77 additional human residents and visitors in the area an average of 9 months after the outbreak. Titers of antibody of greater than or equal to 1:32 were considered presumptive evidence of blastomycosis, and measurement of such titers enabled identification of 18 additional suspected cases in this group, compared with none in a control group (n = 40). Of the 22 humans with confirmed and suspected cases, 16 (73%) were asymptomatic. Epidemiologic and meteorologic data gathered during this period suggested an associated between this outbreak and the presence of dust from excavation for a hotel across the lake. The result of this study further confirm the common occurrence of self-limited and subclinical infection with B. dermatitidis and suggest that excavation in an area endemic for B. dermatitidis is a risk factor for human and canine infection.
Baumgardner
D J
DJ
Department of Family Practice, St. Luke's Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Burdick
J S
JS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal / Q000097:blood; D001758:Blastomyces / Q000276:immunology; D001759:Blastomycosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000662:veterinary; D002648:Child; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005618:Fresh Water; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014919:Wind; D014922:Wisconsin / Q000453:epidemiology
D000908:Antibodies, Fungal