Blastomycosis in Africa: a new case from Tunisia

Although blastomycosis is prevalent in the North American continent, it occurs only sporadically in Africa. We describe a 42 yr old patient who complained of intermittent cough and haemoptysis. Clinical findings were strongly suggestive of lung cancer. The diagnosis of pulmonary blastomycosis was made at thoracotomy. This rather unusual disease in our areas caused a considerable delay in securing the diagnosis and we suggest that this infection may be found elsewhere in Africa and the distribution may be wider than has previously been suspected.