Laboratory-acquired North American blastomycosis

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A female laboratory assistant probably acquired blastomycosis while handling cultures of the mycelial form of Blastomyces dermatitidis. Following her presumed inhalation of conidia, she experienced no pulmonary symptoms. The first indication of in-fection was the appearance of an osteolytic lesion in the head of the right fibula and an associated soft-tissue abscess. Incision and drain-age of the area were performed, and B. dermatitidis was demon-strated in histologic sections and on cultures of the tissue removed. Skin tests performed with blastomycin and a whole yeast antigen at the time of diagnosis were negative. Another skin test 7 months later, utilizing an autogenous whole yeast antigen, was positive. Complement fixation tests performed on pretreatment and posttreatment sera were negative. Following therapy with 1.870 mg of amphotericin B, she has been well for 2 1/2 years. Asymptomatic primary pulmonary infections with B. dermatitidis, subsequently resulting in dissemination, may occur. Cutaneous blastomycosis might result from the inoculation of the saprophytic form of the fungus into the skin.

This publication has 4 references indexed in Scilit: