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Definition Blastomycosis refers to the disease caused by the endemic dimorphic fungi Blastomyces dermatitidis. The infection is acquired via inhalation of the conidia, which transform into the yeast form once in the lungs. However, at least 50% of primary infections are asymptomatic. Most cases become manifest during a chronic and indolent phase that may affect the lungs, the skin, the bones, the genitourinary tract and other reticuloendothelial organs. The disease is endemic in the southeastern and south central states of North America, along the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. Blastomycosis is a common infection among dogs in endemic areas. Blastomycosis is reported in other animals, including the horse, cow, cat, bat, and lion. Causes Blastomycosis occurs most often in people living in the south-central and midwestern US and Canada. Exposure to soil is the key risk factor. It is usually affects people with compromised immune systems, such as people with HIV or organ transplant recipients. Men are more likely to be affected than women. Lung infection may produce no symptoms, but when the infection is widespread, skin lesions or bone lesions may appear and the urogenital system (bladder, kidney, prostate, testes) may be affected. The incidence of blastomycosis is 1-2 out of every 100,000 people in geographic areas where blastomycosis occurs most frequently. It is even less common outside those areas. Symptoms In humans, blastomycosis is also known as Gilchrist\'s disease, Gilchrist’s mycosis, Blastomyces dermatitidis, and Chicago disease. Symptoms in Humans coughing skin lesions, or small draining ulcer(s) on the skin, like a small abscess - draining bloody or purulent (pus) material - found most common on the face, neck, and the extremities. shortness of breath fever fatigue joint and muscle pain joint and muscle stiffness rash chest pain Symptoms in Dogs coughing skin lesions, or small draining ulcer(s) on the skin, like a small abscess - draining bloody or purulent (pus) material blood in the urine shortness of breath enlarged lymph nodes eye problems: including redness, pain, swelling, excessive tearing, clouding of the corneas, and even blindness listlessness Treatment A Blastomycosis diagnosis is CRUCIAL to the patient\'s out come and survival. Even then, if the fungal infection has spread too deeply within the lungs, and to other organs and tissues, the patient may not survive. Even if the drug treatment is successful, it will not reverse any spinal or bone damage, or blindness. Even after treatment, the infection can remain dormant for many years and then reappear. However, after a year of remission without disease recurrence it is unlikely that your pet will have another occurrence of the disease.
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Alien writes for Family doctor. He also writes for natural cures and health clinic
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