BACKGROUND Central nervous system (CNS) involvement with Blastomyces dermatitidis is an uncommon and potentially fatal complication of blastomycosis. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 22 patients with CNS blastomycosis at our institutions from 1990 through 2008 (13 proven, 5 probable, and 4 possible cases). RESULTS Magnetic resonance imaging was used in most patients, alone or in addition...

Infection with Blastomyces dermatitidis elicits strong antibody responses to the surface adhesin WI-1. The antibodies are directed chiefly against the adhesive domain, a 25-amino-acid repeat. Tandem-repeat-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were studied for their opsonic activity in vitro and their capacity to adoptively transfer protection in murine experimental blastomycosis. mAbs to WI-1 ...

TOPIC: Chest Infections TYPE: Medical Student/Resident Case Reports INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary blastomycosis is a respiratory disease that caused by the fungus Blastomyces, most commonly through inhalation of fungal spores. Infected individuals typically show symptoms 3 weeks to months after these About 50% patients with pulmonary are asymptomatic. Individuals severe initially treated intravenous ...

An unusual case of long-standing endotracheal blastomycosis caused recurrent airway obstruction at a tracheostomy site.

OBJECTIVES Pulmonary blastomycosis often mimics bacterial pneumonia or bronchogenic carcinoma, which may result in delayed therapy or the performance of unnecessary diagnostic procedures. We have reviewed the utilization of diagnostic techniques in the workup of patients with pulmonary blastomycosis, defined their diagnostic yields, and proposed an optimal diagnostic approach for the patient in...