Risk factors for acquisition of endemic blastomycosis.
BACKGROUND
Blastomycosis is potentially fatal, but environmental risk factors for acquiring blastomycosis are not well established.


METHODS
Matched cross-sectional questionnaire of 112 patients with history of blastomycosis and 118 control subjects in Manitoba and northwestern Ontario.


RESULTS
The most common tissues involved with blastomycosis were pulmonary, skin and soft tissues, and bone. A significantly greater proportion of patients with blastomycosis than control subjects were involved in outdoor occupations. A significantly greater percentage of patients with blastomycosis were immunosuppressed either from collagen vascular disease or immunosuppressive therapy, or had hypothyroidism. A significant association between canine and human blastomycosis was not observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Independent risk factors for development of blastomycosis included immunosuppression for any reason (including drugs or disease), collagen vascular disease, being an outdoor worker, and having a coworker with blastomycosis. Canine blastomycosis was not a risk factor for human disease in dog owners.
Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba;
Maxym
M
Choptiany
Lyle
L
Wiebe
Bill
B
Limerick
Pete
P
Sarsfield
Mary
M
Cheang
Bruce
B
Light
Greg
G
Hammond
Kerry
K
Macdonald
Elly
E
Trepman
Peter
P
Pappas
John M
JM
Embil