Etymed
blastomycosis
Definition
A fungal infection caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis, characterized by the formation of granulomatous lesions
Clinical context
A 45-year-old man presents with a two-month history of cough, fever, and weight loss. He recently returned from a hiking trip in the Ohio River Valley. Chest X-ray reveals cavitary lesions in the lungs. Sputum cultures grow a dimorphic fungus that appears as yeast cells in tissue and budding yeast in culture. Culture shows characteristic 'broad-based budding' with a 'pencil-like' appearance. The patient is diagnosed with blastomycosis.
Mnemonic
Blasts cause granulomas in the US - 'Blastomycosis' = 'B' for 'Blasts', 'G' for 'Granulomas', and 'US' for 'United States' (endemic to Ohio Valley)