Blastomycosis: A Case Study of a Dimorphic Fungal Disease

Elizabeth Boswell; Hassan Aziz

doi:10.29074/ascls.17.3.145

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Elizabeth Boswell, MT(ASCP)
1. is a medical technologist
Hassan Aziz, PhD CLS(NCA)⇑
1. is an Assistant Professor of Medical Technology at Armstrong Atlantic State University, Savannah GA

Address for correspondence: Hassan Aziz PhD CLS(NCA), Assistant Professor of Medical Technology, Armstrong Atlantic State University, 11935 Abercorn Street, Savannah GA 31419. (912) 921-7448, (912) 921-5585 (fax). azizhass{at}mail.armstrong.edu

Abstract

A 17-year-old male presented to a local hospital with symptoms of pneumonia and a hacking cough productive of yellow sputum. Direct examination of a bronchial lavage sample revealed organisms morphologically consistent with Blastomyces dermatitidis, which was confirmed by culture. The patient was placed on intravenous antifungal therapy and his condition improved dramatically.

OBJECTIVES: to describe the gross and microscopic morphologies of both yeast and mold forms of B. dermatitidis; to identify B. dermatitidis given patient history, and microscopic and colony morphology; to describe the symptoms of primary pulmonary infections caused by B. dermatitidis, and to name additional tissues typically affected by the systemic pathogen.

ABBREVIATIONS: AIDS = acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; ANA = antinuclear antibodies; HSV = herpes simplex virus; KOH = potassium hydroxide; RBC = red blood cell; WBC = white blood cell.