Risk Factors for Acquisition of Endemic Blastomycosis

Abstract

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.

Geodemographic Features of Human Blastomycosis in Eastern Wisconsin

“…Residence in close proximity to auto-related businesses was associated on univariable analysis only. As reviewed elsewhere in this issue, 24 many studies, but not all, 42 found outdoor occupations made up a minority of blastomycosis cases. There have been reports of blastomycosis cases in autoworkers based on short case series or case studies, 37,[43][44][45] but no systematic investigation of this connection.…”

“…A 2009 study of 112 blastomycosis patients and 118 neighborhood controls revealed that having a coworker with blastomycosis was an independent risk factor for the disease. 42 Further investigation of associated occupations seems warranted.…”

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

“…Therefore, the epidemiologic details of Blastomyces are based on sporadic cases from point source outbreaks. Blastomycosis generally affects immunocompetent individuals; however, immunosuppression and collagen vascular disease are still risk factors (12). The only other case report of Blastomyces tenosynovitis involved the hand and wrist and was believed to be due to hematogenous spread (2).…”

Successful treatment of chronic canine blastomycosis in a Labrador retriever with sterile histopathology

“…Clinical manifestations are highly varied and range from mild to life-threatening disease and may be acute, subacute or chronic. Blastomyces dermatitidis exists in the soil as a thermally dimorphic fungus (Choptiany and others 2009). Infection may occur worldwide but is endemic to certain ecological niches such as the Mississippi, Missouri and Ohio river valleys in the USA and south-eastern Canada.…”