Incidental findings of blastomycosis lung nodules in five asymptomatic patients

Abstract

Asymptomatic blastomycosis infections are rarely identified or described in the literature, but are believed to comprise 50% of cases. In this report we describe five sporadic cases of blastomycosis in asymptomatic patients. All of these cases were initially identified as incidental findings of lung nodules on CXR or CT. To our knowledge, these are the first detailed descriptions of asymptomatic blastomycosis, occurring as sporadic disease, in the literature.

Clinical Presentation of Blastomycosis is Associated With Infecting Species, Not Host Genotype

“…9 An unknown percentage of people exposed never develop symptoms, revealed through incidental findings of Blastomyces and positive histoplasmin skin tests following a point-source outbreak in individuals not diagnosed with blastomycosis. 10,11 However, many patients with blastomycosis require hospitalization and intensive care, with 4.3-6.3% of cases resulting in death. 9 Related dimorphic fungi, such as Coccidiomyces, are known to disproportionately affect specific populations.…”