Cutaneous blastomycosis: a clue to a systemic disease

Abstract

A 55-year-old male presented with back pain and slightly tender annular plaques with central ulceration on his face. A skin biopsy revealed scattered yeast with broad based buds. A CT scan of the abdomen revealed a pathologic T12 fracture. Tissue obtained from the spine confirmed budding yeasts. The patient was diagnosed with disseminated blastomycosis. The patient was treated with amphotericin and itraconazole and completely recovered.

Pleural Effusion in Pulmonary and Extrapulmonary Blastomycosis

“…The gross appearance of these lesions can mimic basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and giant keratoacanthoma [21]. It is believed that skin manifestations represent disseminated disease of systemic blastomycosis infection [22]. Several case studies have reported direct cutaneous inoculation of blastomycosis.…”

Blastomyces Tenosynovitis of the Foot and Ankle: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

“…In the United States, it is present in the soil surrounding the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys, in southeastern states, and around the Great Lakes (3). It affects 12 to 40 per 100,000 persons annually in endemic regions (4). Other types of fungal infections include Histoplasma capsulatum, Coccidioides immitis, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, and Sporothrix schenkii.…”

Blastomycosis and pregnancy: An unusual postpartum disease course

“…Infection may present as acute or chronic pneumonia with potential dissemination via hematogenous or lymphatic spread, occasional-ly progressing to fatal disease [2][3][4]. Overall, skin involvement has been reported in 40-80% of cases [5]. Even in endemic regions, blastomycosis infection during pregnancy is exceedingly rare.…”