Intensive Care Unit and Hospital Outcomes of Patients Admitted with Blastomycosis: A 14-Year Retrospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: Blastomycosis is an uncommon; potentially life-threatening granulomatous fungal infection. The aim of this study is to report hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) outcomes of patients admitted with blastomycosis. METHODS: All patients admitted for treatment of blastomycosis at the Mayo Clinic-Rochester, Minnesota between 01/01/2006 and 09/30/2019 were included. Demographics, comorbidities, clinical presentation, ICU admission, and outcomes were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 84 Patients were identified with 90 unique hospitalizations primarily for blastomycosis. The median age at diagnosis was 49 (IQR 28.1-65, range: 6-85) years and 56 (66.7%) were male. The most frequent comorbidities included hypertension (n = 28, 33.3%); immunosuppressed state (n = 25, 29.8%), and diabetes mellitus (n = 21, 25%). The lungs were the only organ involved in 56 (66.7%) cases and the infection was disseminated in 19 (22.6%) cases. A total of 29 patients (34.5%) underwent ICU admission due to complications of blastomycosis. ICU related events included mechanical ventilation (n = 20, 23.8%), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (n = 13, 15.5%), tracheostomy (n = 9, 10.7%), renal replacement therapy (n = 8, 9.5%), and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) (n = 4, 4.8%). A total of 12 patients (14.3%) died in the hospital; all of whom had undergone ICU admission. In-hospital mortality was associated with renal replacement therapy (RRT) (P = 0.0255). CONCLUSION: Blastomycosis is a serious, potentially life-threatening infection that results in significant morbidity and mortality with a 34.5% ICU admission rate. RRT was associated with in-hospital mortality.

Pulmonary Blastomycosis: A Rare Cause of Acute Chest Syndrome and Prolonged Fevers in a Pediatric Patient With Sickle Cell Disease.

Blastomyces is a fungus found in the soil of regions of North America including the Mississippi and Ohio River Valleys. It can be inhaled into the lungs and cause pneumonia and disseminated disease. Although blastomycosis is not widely reported in the sickle cell literature, sickle cell patients may be at increased risk of complications from blastomycosis pneumonia due to their immune compromise and risk of developing acute chest syndrome. We describe the case of a 13-year-old female with homozygous sickle cell disease who presented with pneumonia and acute chest syndrome and was found to have pulmonary blastomycosis.

Atypical Laryngeal Infections: Localized Lesions from Unusual Organisms May Simulate Malignancy.

OBJECTIVE: The identification of rare sources of laryngeal infection in immunocompetent patients. Recovered organisms were Mycobacterium tuberculosis (laryngeal tuberculosis [LTB]), Mycobacterium fortuitum (laryngeal Mycobacterium fortuitum [LMF]), and Blastomyces dermatiditis (laryngeal blastomycosis [LB]). METHOD: Single institution retrospective case series of three patients over a 2.5-year period and review of the literature on laryngeal infections by three atypical organisms. RESULTS: Three patients presented with hoarseness and cough; one additionally had throat pain (LTB). Indirect laryngoscopy demonstrated diffuse laryngeal ulceration (LTB, LMF) and an exophytic, contiguous glottic mass (LB). Direct microlaryngoscopic biopsies and cultures established the diagnoses, including a frozen section in one case (LB), which prevented a simultaneously planned surgical resection. Appropriate antimicrobial therapy yielded dramatic laryngeal and corresponding vocal improvement, for which we provide unique photo and audio documentation. In the last 10 years, fewer than 500 cases of LTB have been reported in the English language medical literature, principally outside the United States. To date, there have been reports of only 34 LB and no cases of LMF. CONCLUSION: Atypical infections of the larynx may be localized and mimic laryngeal cancer on endoscopy. Tissue examination as well as microbiologic samples are diagnostic and complementary.

Dacryoadenitis Caused by Blastomycosis: A Case Report.

This is the first case of histopathologically proven blastomycosis involving the lacrimal gland. A 51-year-old woman with a history of disseminated blastomycosis involving her lungs and skin, on oral itraconazole, presented with 3 days of right upper eyelid swelling, erythema, and pain concerning for recurrent dacryoadenitis. MRI showed enlargement of the right lacrimal gland with a cystic lesion at the anterior aspect of the gland with a radiographic differential diagnosis of abscess versus cyst. After no improvement with intravenous antibiotics, orbitotomy with lacrimal gland biopsy and incision and drainage of the cystic lesion were performed. Culture and pathology of the drained fluid demonstrated an abscess with both viable and nonviable broad-based budding yeast consistent with partially treated blastomycosis. The patient's symptoms improved after the surgery and continued itraconazole therapy.

Veno-venous extracorporeal life support for blastomycosis-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Blastomyces is a dimorphic fungus endemic to regions of North America, which can lead to pneumonia and fatal severe acute respiratory diseases syndrome in up to 89% of patients. Extracorporeal life support can provide adequate oxygenation while allowing the lungs to rest and heal, which might be an ideal therapy in this patient group, although long-term clinical and radiological outcomes are not known. CLINICAL FEATURES: We report on five consecutive patients admitted to Toronto General Hospital intensive care unit between January 2012 and September 2016, with progressive respiratory failure requiring veno-venous extracorporeal life support within 24-96 hours following mechanical ventilation. Ultra-lung protective mechanical ventilation was achieved within 24 hours. Recovery was the initial goal in all patients. Extracorporeal life support was provided for a prolonged period (up to 49 days), and four patients were successfully discharged from the intensive care unit. Long-term radiological assessment in three patients showed major improvement within 2 years of follow-up with some persistent disease-related changes (bronchiectasis, fibrosis, and cystic changes). In two patients, long-term functional and neuropsychological outcomes showed similar limitations to what is seen in acute respiratory distress syndrome patients who are not supported with extracorporeal life support and in acute respiratory distress syndrome patients without blastomycosis, but worse pulmonary function outcomes in the form of obstructive and restrictive changes that correlated with the radiological imaging. CONCLUSION: Veno-venous extracorporeal life support can effectively provide prolonged support for patients with blastomycosis-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome that is safe and associated with favorable long-term outcomes.

Blastomycosis-like Pyoderma Arising in Lichen Planus.

Blastomycosis-like pyoderma (BLP) is a rare reactive skin disease that is most commonly caused by bacterial infection. Herein we present a case of BLP arising in lichen planus, a chronic inflammatory disease. We propose Wolf's isotopic response, or the appearance of a new skin disease at the site of an existing and unrelated disease, as the underlying molecular mechanism responsible for this unusual physical presentation. It is important that clinicians recognize atypical morphologies such as BLP, which mimics squamous cell carcinoma both clinically and pathologically. These similarities highlight the need for a tissue diagnosis to identify infectious etiologies and rule out malignancy when BLP is suspected. J Drugs Dermatol. 2018;17(2):233-235.

Blastomyces Tenosynovitis of the Foot and Ankle: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Deep fungal infection localized to the foot is not common, and when it occurs it often affects immunocompromised individuals. In this report, we describe the case of an adult diabetic patient who suffered with with Blastomycosis infection of the flexor digitorum longus and peroneal tendon sheaths. The condition was treated with systemic antifungal therapy and surgical debridement.

A 66-year-old woman with fever, cough, and a tongue lesion.

A 66-year-old woman presented with acute onset of fever, chills, and productive cough associated with right-sided chest pain. During a recent hospitalization for dyspnea, she had been diagnosed with Coombs-positive autoimmune hemolytic anemia and had been taking a tapering dose of prednisone starting approximately 6 weeks prior to admission. In the interim, her dyspnea had resolved on treatment with steroids. At the time of presentation, her prednisone dose was 40 mg. Additional medical history included VTE, for which the patient was receiving anticoagulation therapy, and steroid-induced diabetes mellitus. Many years earlier, she had been treated for TB in her home country. The patient had immigrated to Queens, New York, from a Nepalese village 8 years prior. While still in Nepal, she had worked on a farm and had been in close proximity to cows. In Queens, she lived with her family in a house with a small garden but had no pets. Recent travel included a visit to Nepal 9 months ago and a trip to Syracuse, New York, one month prior to presentation. She was a never smoker and did not consume alcohol.

Blastomycosis of bone: a clinicopathologic study.

OBJECTIVES: Blastomycosis osteomyelitis is a well-known but infrequently encountered complication of infection with the dimorphic mold, Blastomyces dermatitidis. Oftentimes, the diagnosis is unsuspected, resulting in a delay in making the diagnosis. The role of intraoperative consultation in making a rapid diagnosis has not been discussed previously. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of clinicopathologic information was conducted from all cases of blastomycosis osteomyelitis and arthritis diagnosed at Rush University Medical Center between 2000 and 2010. RESULTS: Fourteen cases of blastomycosis osteomyelitis and/or arthritis were identified, 12 of which clinically and radiologically presented as a bone tumor. The disease most commonly affected the lower extremities, particularly around the knee joint. Septic arthritis generally occurred secondary to osteomyelitis of the adjacent bone. Frozen section was performed in 10 cases, all of which were correctly diagnosed as granulomatous osteomyelitis. Two cases were culture negative, one of which showed many budding yeast forms typical of B dermatitidis on histology. CONCLUSION: Blastomycosis osteomyelitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of bone tumor, particularly when there is history of residence or travel in endemic areas. This disease can be correctly identified at frozen section, thus offering rapid diagnosis. There is an excellent correlation between morphologic and microbiologic studies.

Proactive infectious disease approach to dermatologic patients who are taking tumor necrosis factor-alfa antagonists: Part I. Risks associated with tumor necrosis factor-alfa antagonists.

Tumor necrosis factor-alfa levels are linked to disease severity in patients with inflammatory conditions, such as psoriasis. Inhibitors of this cytokine are commonly used with significant success in the treatment of such inflammatory disorders. Their use, however, can be plagued by infectious complications. An awareness of potential infections associated with these therapies is critical in order to maximize preventive efforts both before and during therapy. This review provides a guide for dermatologists caring for patients in need of this type of biologic therapy to preemptively address the infectious risks. Part I of this continuing medical education article reviews background information on the various infectious risks associated with tumor necrosis factor inhibitor therapy and appropriate historical data to obtain in the context of pretherapy evaluations.

Peritoneal blastomycosis: a hidden mystery unfolds itself.

Blastomycosis is a disease caused by the fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis. Pulmonary blastomycosis is the most common form of blastomycosis. Disseminated blastomycosis is the fulminant form of the disease, with rare reports of peritoneal cavity involvement. We report a case of extensive form of the disease presenting initially as abdominal pain and mimicking peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Unusual osseous presentation of blastomycosis in an immigrant child: a challenge for European pediatricians.

BACKGROUND: Blastomycosis, caused by the thermally dimorphic fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis is a systemic pyogranulomatous infection, endemic in United States and Canada, with few reported cases in Africa and Asia. It is uncommon among children and adolescents, ranging from 3% to 10%. Clinical features vary from asymptomatic spontaneously healing pneumonia, through acute or chronic pneumonia, to a malignant appearing lung mass. Blastomycosis can originate a "metastatic disease" in the skin, bones, genitourinary tract and central nervous system. Bone is the third most common site of blastomycotic lesions, after lung and skin. Bones may be involved in 14-60% of cases of blastomycosis. Direct visualization of single broadbased budding yeast with specific stains in sputum or tissue samples at microscopy is the primary method for diagnosis, while culture is timeconsuming and other methods are unreliable. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of severe osteoarticular Blastomycosis occurring in a 3-years-old presented to our Emergency Department with pain and swelling of the left knee, successfully treated with surgical curettage and antifungal therapy. To our knowledge this is the first case reported in Europe. CONCLUSIONS: Blastomycosis represents a challenge for European physicians, and it should be included in the differential diagnosis of unexplained infections in patients coming from endemic areas.

[Oral blastomycosis, laryngeal papillomatosis and esophageal tuberculosis]. / Blastomicosis oral, papilomatosis laríngea y tuberculosis esofágica.

Esophageal involvement is an extremely rare complication of tuberculosis even in countries with high prevalence of infection. We report the case of a 57 year-old hiv-seronegative patient with simultaneous diagnoses of oral blastomycosis and laryngeal papillomatosis. Both were confirmed by anatomopathological analysis. The esophageal biopsy revealed granulomatous esophagitis with necrosis and ziehl-neelsen stain showed acid-fast alcohol resistant bacilli suggestive of tuberculosis. The patient's history included pulmonary tuberculosis twice and previous abandonment of therapy. Thus, it was necessary to use oral itraconazole combined with second-line anti-tuberculosis drugs administered through a gastrostomy tube. The clinical development was favorable.

Dual infection with Pythium insidiosum and Blastomyces dermatitidis in a dog.

A 4-year-old male neutered Labrador Retriever with severe gastrointestinal signs, but no respiratory signs, was diagnosed with multifocal pyogranulomatous gastritis, enteritis, and lymphadenitis with intralesional hyphae and multifocal pyogranulomatous pneumonia with intralesional yeast. Based on cytologic evaluation, histologic examination with special stains, and immunohistochemical analysis of tissues collected antemortem or at necropsy, dual infections with Pythium insidiosum and Blastomyces dermatitidis were detected and are reported for the first time.

Blastomycosis presenting as a nonhealing wound.

A 41-year-old man was referred to the wound clinic for an enlarging 9.5 x 14-cm ulceration of the right upper arm of 8 months' duration. A biopsy was obtained, and fungal stains showed broad-based budding spores typical of blastomycosis. He was treated with oral itraconazole, and the ulcer healed in 2 months. Blastomycosis is a systemic fungal infection acquired by inhalation of the spores of the fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis. Initially a pulmonary infection, the skin is the most common secondary site of involvement. More typically presenting as hyperkeratotic nodules, it may occur as ulcerations. Blastomycosis has significant morbidity and mortality, and in unsuspected or asymptomatic cases, the skin lesions may be the key to successful diagnosis and treatment.