title: Blastomycosis.
abstract: Blastomycosis is an endemic fungal infection due to Blastomyces dermatitidis that most commonly causes pneumonia; but the organism can disseminate to any organ system, most commonly the skin, bones/joints, and genitourinary tract. Both immunocompetent and immunocompromised persons can be infected, but more severe disease occurs in the immunocompromised. Blastomycosis can be diagnosed by culture, direct visualization of the yeast in affected tissue, and/or antigen testing. Treatment course and duration depend on severity of illness. For mild to moderate pulmonary disease the treatment is itraconazole. For severe blastomycosis, lipid formulation amphotericin B is given, followed by step-down therapy with itraconazole.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Michigan Health System, 3119 Taubman Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
authors.forename: Caroline G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Castillo
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Michigan Health System, 3119 Taubman Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, 2215 Fuller Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA.
authors.forename: Carol A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Kauffman
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Michigan Health System, 3119 Taubman Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. Electronic address: mmiceli@med.umich.edu.
authors.forename: Marisa H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Miceli
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001759:Blastomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents
keywords: Amphotericin B; B dermatitidis; Blastomycosis; Endemic mycoses; Fungal pneumonia; Itraconazole