blastomycosis

A chronic granulomatous and suppurative disease caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis; originates as a respiratory infection and disseminates, usually with pulmonary, osseous, and/or cutaneous involvement predominating. Formerly called North American b., the disease now has been found in African states as well as in Canada and the U.S. SYN: Gilchrist disease.

- Brazilian b. obsolete term for paracoccidioidomycosis.

- cutaneous b. verrucous or ulcerative skin lesions seen with infection with Blastomyces dermatitidis.

- North American b. b..

- South American b. SYN: paracoccidioidomycosis.

- systemic b. infection with Blastomyces dermatitidis extending beyond the skin or the lung, the usual portals of entry; involvement of bone and genitourinary tract (esp. prostate and epididymis) are most frequent.

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blas·to·my·co·sis -.mī-'kō-səs n, pl -co·ses -.sēz either of two infectious diseases caused by yeastlike fungi see BLASTOMYCES, NORTH AMERICAN BLASTOMYCOSIS, SOUTH AMERICAN BLASTOMYCOSIS

blas·to·my·cot·ic -'kät-ik adj

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n.

any disease caused by parasitic fungi of the genus Blastomyces, which may affect the skin (forming wart-like ulcers and tumours on the face, neck, hands, arms, feet, and legs) or involve various internal tissues, such as the lungs, bones, liver, spleen, and lymphatics. There are two principal forms of the disease: North American blastomycosis (Gilchrist's disease), caused by B. dermatitidis; and South American blastomycosis, caused by B. brasiliensis. Both diseases are treated with antifungal drugs (such as amphotericin).

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blas·to·my·co·sis (blas″to-mi-koґsis) 1. an infection caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis, usually acquired through the lungs. There may be suppurating skin lesions (cutaneous b.) or lesions in the lungs, bones, subcutaneous tissues, liver, spleen, and kidneys (systemic b.). It runs a fulminant, sometimes fatal, course in immunocompromised patients. Called also North American b. and Gilchrist disease. 2. a general term for any infection caused by a yeastlike organism.

Blastomycosis, showing multiple large yeast with equal-sized single budding admixed with acute inflammatory cells in a sputum smear. (Insets A, B), Higher magnification highlighting the equal-sized budding (Papanicolaou stain).