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A clinician's view of blastomycosis
1Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock 72205.
Current Topics in Medical Mycology
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Blastomycosis is an important fungal infection in endemic regions that can mimic cancer. Diagnosis requires fungal cultures, and new antifungal therapies like itraconazole show promise.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Microbiology
Background:
- Blastomycosis is a significant fungal infection in specific endemic areas.
- Subclinical infection rates require further investigation with improved immunologic assays.
- Blastomycosis symptoms can be mistaken for neoplastic diseases, complicating diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of blastomycosis in endemic regions.
- To emphasize diagnostic challenges and recommend appropriate procedures.
- To review current and emerging therapeutic options for blastomycosis.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical presentations and diagnostic methods for blastomycosis.
- Analysis of current antifungal treatment strategies.
- Discussion of the role of immunologic testing in disease detection.
Main Results:
- Blastomycosis diagnosis can be challenging due to its mimicry of other conditions, especially cancer.
- Fungal cultures and smears are crucial for definitive diagnosis during invasive procedures.
- Antifungal therapy has expanded with ketoconazole, and itraconazole demonstrates high efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Accurate diagnosis of blastomycosis is essential, particularly when it resembles cancer.
- Fungal cultures are vital for confirming the diagnosis.
- Itraconazole is a promising treatment, while the roles of amphotericin B and fluconazole require further clinical validation.