Blastomyces dermatitidis
Blastomyces dermatitidis
Blastomyces dermatitidis (pronunciation: blas-toh-my-sees der-ma-ti-ti-dis) is a thermally dimorphic fungus that is the causative agent of Blastomycosis, a serious systemic fungal disease.
Etymology
The term 'Blastomyces' is derived from the Greek words 'blastos' meaning 'sprout' and 'mykes' meaning 'fungus'. 'Dermatitidis' is derived from the Greek words 'derma' meaning 'skin' and 'itis' meaning 'inflammation'.
Description
Blastomyces dermatitidis is found in the environment, particularly in moist soil and in association with decaying organic matter such as wood and leaves. It is endemic in certain parts of North America, particularly in the Mississippi River and Ohio River basins.
Infection with Blastomyces dermatitidis occurs through inhalation of airborne conidia, the asexual spores of the fungus. Once in the lungs, the conidia convert to the yeast form and can cause a range of clinical manifestations, from asymptomatic infection to severe, disseminated disease.
Related Terms
- Blastomycosis: A fungal infection caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis.
- Conidia: The asexual, non-motile spores of a fungus, which are produced by a specialized structure known as a conidiophore.
- Thermally dimorphic fungi: Fungi that can exist as mold at room temperature and as yeast at body temperature.
- Endemic: Regularly found among particular people or in a certain area.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Blastomyces dermatitidis
- Wikipedia's article - Blastomyces dermatitidis
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