Classification: ICD-9 116.0; ICD-10 B40
Synonyms: North American blastomycosis, Gilchrist disease
Agent: Blastomyces dermatitidis (teleomorph Ajellomyces dermatitidis), a dimorphic fungus: grows as a pathogenic yeast at body temperature and as a mold in the environment.
Reservoir: Not completely understood: moist environments close to waterways, in forest or under flooring, also sandy and acidic soil and rotten vegetation. Bird excreta have also been implicated as a potential reservoir. Dogs are more commonly infected than humans but do not transmit disease.
Transmission: Inhalation of spores from disturbed soil. There is no person-to-person transmission.
Cycle: Environment (soil) to human. Fungal spores are inhaled and convert to the pathogenic yeast form in the lung from where they can disseminate to other organs.
Incubation period: Weeks to months; median 45 days.
Clinical findings
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