NORTH AMERICAN BLASTOMYCOSIS: A CLINICAL STUDY OF 40 CASES

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Abstract
This study of 40 cases of North American blastomycosis seen at the Milwaukee County General Hospital revealed a wide diversity of initial complaints and made it apparent that there is no classic history or symptom complex in blastomycosis. Data in this study regarding age, sex, race, nativity, residence, season of onset and occupation did not reveal any significant clue as to the natural reservoir of the disease although the impression that the respiratory tract was the portal of entry was supported. Our experience made it evident that direct smear, culture, biopsy and skin test were all valuable diagnostic aids but that each is not infallible. Stil-bamidine therapy was tried in 3 cases and in 2 it was a distinct failure. In this series, all who survived the systemic disease for 4 years from onset were alive and well 10 years after its onset and in patients dying after 10 years, of other diseases, no evidence of blastomycosis was found.