Case Report on a Dimorphic Fungal Disease - Blastomycosis

Abstract

Blastomycosis is a dimorphic fungal disease caused by the fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis. The fungus is found in soils and water, and it can be transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals or inhaling spores from the air. The disease may cause fever, cough, fatigue, headache, muscle pain and joint pain. The symptoms vary depending on whether the infection has been localized or disseminated throughout the body. Localized infection can progress to disseminated infection if not treated early enough. A case study of 18 years old female is admitted in area hospital with symptoms like fever, cough and weight loss and fever with chills and night sweats who had a dry cough or expectoration. The diagnosis of this disease is made by taking a blood test or skin biopsy from the infected area which will show up in the laboratory as positive for blastomycosis. She was given an antifungal medication called amphotericin B intravenously, which helped her to recover from the infection.