title: Endemic blastomycosis in Mississippi: epidemiological and clinical studies.
abstract: In order to clarify the epidemiology and clinical spectrum of endemic blastomycosis, we reviewed the charts of 326 culture and/or histologically proven cases of blastomycosis in Mississippi from 1979 to 1988. Cases were dispersed throughout the state, but counties in central and south-central Mississippi reported 63% of all blastomycosis cases. The average annual incidence rate was 1.3 cases per 100,000 population. The majority of cases were in men (male to female ratio 1.7:1), and most patients were aged in their third through seventh decades (82%). Outdoor occupations were noted for only 28.9% of cases. Cases occurred throughout the year with no significant seasonal peak. Although 55% saw a physician within 7 days of onset of illness, 29% presented after 1 month. Despite early presentation, diagnosis was often delayed for more than 1 month (43.3%). Single organs were involved in 82.8% of cases. For all cases, organ systems involved included lungs (91.4%), skin (18.1%), bone (4.3%), genitourinary system (1.8%), and central nervous system (1.2%). The presence of skin or bone disease was associated with multiorgan involvement. Thirty-three patients died (11.5%), 6 of whom received no therapy. Patients who died were significantly older than those who survived. A successful outcome without relapse was noted in 86.5% of amphotericin B-treated patients and in 81.7% of ketoconazole-treated patients. The relapse rate for ketoconazole-treated patients was higher than for amphotericin B-treated patients (14% and 3.9% respectively).
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson 39216-4505, USA.
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Hendricks
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Nolan
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Currier
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Turner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001759:Blastomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D019353:Endemic Diseases / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008172:Lung Diseases, Fungal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008922:Mississippi / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents