In what part of the United States is blastomycosis endemic?

In the United States, the fungus mainly lives in the midwestern, south-central, and southeastern states, particularly in areas surrounding the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys, the Great Lakes, and the Saint Lawrence River.

Where is blastomycosis endemic?

Blastomycosis. Blastomycosis is considered endemic to the south-central, southeastern, and midwestern US states, particularly those bordering the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers and in parts of the United States and Canada surrounding the Great Lakes and the Saint Lawrence River (2,5).

Where is blastomycosis most common?

These fungi can be found in moist soils, particularly in wooded areas and along waterways. Blastomycosis occurs most often in people living in Ontario, Manitoba, and the south-central, south-eastern, and the mid-western United States.

Which is an endemic fungus in the United States?

Histoplasmosis. Histoplasmosis, also called Darling disease, is the most common endemic mycosis in the United States, accounting for the greatest morbidity and mortality.

Which fungal disease is endemic in the Midwest?

Histoplasmosis and blastomycosis incidence was highest in the Midwest (6.1 and 1.0 cases/100,000 person-years, respectively); coccidioidomycosis incidence rate was highest in the West (15.2). On the basis of available data, for 86 (11.1%) cases, there was no patient exposure to a traditional disease-endemic area.

Blastomycosis: Blastomyces dermatitidis

Is blastomycosis in Texas?

Blastomycosis is reportable in only five states (Arkansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin); it is not reportable in New York.

Where in the United States are fungal infections common?

Fungi that can cause infections are more common in some parts of the United States and world. For example, in the United States, the fungus that causes Valley fever is found mainly in the Southwest and parts of the Pacific Northwest. Histoplasmosis and blastomycosis occur most often in the eastern United States.

What is an endemic fungus?

Introduction. Endemic mycoses are infections caused by a diverse group of fungi that occupy specific ecologic niche in the environment (1). The major pathogenic fungi in this group, including Blastomyces dermatiditis, Coccidioides immitis and C.

What are endemic fungi?

Endemic mycoses are a group of diseases caused by diverse fungi that share common characteristics. These fungi occupy a specific etiologic niche in the environment, are dimorphic in nature (yeast or spherule form in tissue and mycelial form in the environment), and are able to produce infection in healthy hosts.

What are endemic mycoses?

The endemic mycoses are a group of infections caused by fungi with a distinct geographic distribution, defined by climatic and environmental conditions.

Is blastomycosis in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin may have the highest incidence of blastomycosis of any state, with yearly rates ranging from 10 to 40 cases per 100,000 persons in some northern counties.

Where is blastomycosis found in Wisconsin?

The Wisconsin Division of Public Health (DPH) and St. Croix County Public Health are investigating a small number of cases of Blastomycosis in humans and animals (canine) linked to the Willow River area near Boardman, Wisconsin.

Can dogs get blastomycosis in winter?

The geographic distribution of cases was found to be similar regardless of season and time period, and no season exceeded control chart limits. Seasonal distribution of cases was; winter (n = 53, 24%), spring (39, 18%), summer (79, 36%), fall (48, 22%), p = 0.002.

How common is blastomycosis in dogs?

The incidence of blastomycosis in cats and humans is much lower than in dogs. Dogs are estimated to be about ten times more likely to contract the disease than humans, and approximately 100 times more likely than cats.

Where did blastomycosis come from?

Blastomycosis is an infection caused by a fungus called Blastomyces. The fungus lives in the environment, particularly in moist soil and in decomposing matter such as wood and leaves.

Can soil be tested for blastomycosis?

When a soil sample tests positive for Blastomyces, it isn't necessarily a source of infection, and when a sample tests negative, that doesn't necessarily mean that the fungus isn't in the soil. Also, there are no commercially-available tests to detect Blastomyces in the environment.

What is mucormycosis and what area of the body is most commonly infected?

Mucormycosis mainly affects people who have health problems or take medicines that lower the body's ability to fight germs and sickness. It most commonly affects the sinuses or the lungs after inhaling fungal spores from the air. It can also occur on the skin after a cut, burn, or other type of skin injury.

Is Aspergillus contagious to humans?

But people who have a weakened immune system from illness or immunosuppressant medications have fewer infection-fighting cells. This allows aspergillus to take hold, invading the lungs and, in the most serious cases, other parts of the body. Aspergillosis is not contagious from person to person.

Is histoplasmosis a mold?

Definition. Histoplasmosis is an infection that is spread by the spores of the mold, Histoplasma capsulatum. Once the spore has infected a person, it turns into a yeast form which causes disease in humans.

What are opportunistic fungi?

Opportunistic fungi are a constantly evolving group of pathogens that plague a growing group of vulnerable patients.

What causes Paracoccidioidomycosis?

Paracoccidioidomycosis is an infection caused by the fungus Paracoccidioides. This fungus lives in parts of Central and South America. Anyone who lives in or visits areas where Paracoccidioides lives can get paracoccidioidomycosis, but it most often affects men who work outdoors in rural areas.

What kind of infection is mycosis?

A fungal infection, also called mycosis, is a skin disease caused by a fungus. There are millions of species of fungi. They live in the dirt, on plants, on household surfaces, and on your skin. Sometimes, they can lead to skin problems like rashes or bumps.

In which part of the body do fungal infections often occur?

Fungal infections can occur anywhere in your body but, most commonly, they begin on your skin. Most cause some discomfort, such as redness and itching on the skin. Usually over-the-counter or prescription medications take care of this.

How can I boost my immune system to fight fungal infections?

To help the immune system fight off infection, it is important to not smoke, exercise with regularity, drink in moderation, eat a balanced diet and get plenty of rest.

Why is my body prone to fungal infections?

Sweating heavily or working in a warm, humid environment can increase your risk of a fungal infection. Fungi need a warm and moist environment to grow. Walking barefoot in damp places, such as gyms, locker rooms, and showers, can also increase your risk. These public places are often rich in fungal spores.