Blastomyces
Encyclopedia
Blastomyces is a fungal genus responsible for the medical condition blastomycosis
.
The most well known species of the genus is Blastomyces dermatitidis. B. dermatitidis is a dimorphic fungal pathogen, found primarily in the Mid-West and Northern United States and Canada. It exists in the soil in a filamentous form that produces spores directly upon the wall of the hyphae, lacking any kind of fruiting body to aid in aerosolization/dissemination of the spores. The natural reservoir of this organism in the environment is not clearly defined, but it seems to be associated with rivers and lakes. Blastomyces is endemic to the Mississippi and Ohio river valleys and the vicinity of the Great Lakes. Outbreaks of blastomycosis are often associated with disruptions of the soil that might lead to the artificial elevation of spore
and/or hyphal fragments in the air. These agents infect human and animal hosts when they are inhaled. At the elevated temperature of 37°C in a host, the fungus undergoes a phase transition to the pathogenic yeast
form. Yeast form cells multiply in the lung and may cause disease in immuno-competent hosts, sometimes disseminating to the skin, central nervous system and bones. Blastomycosis is more commonly diagnosed in pets than in humans, especially dogs.
Blastomycosis
Blastomycosis is a fungal infection caused by the organism Blastomyces dermatitidis...
.
The most well known species of the genus is Blastomyces dermatitidis. B. dermatitidis is a dimorphic fungal pathogen, found primarily in the Mid-West and Northern United States and Canada. It exists in the soil in a filamentous form that produces spores directly upon the wall of the hyphae, lacking any kind of fruiting body to aid in aerosolization/dissemination of the spores. The natural reservoir of this organism in the environment is not clearly defined, but it seems to be associated with rivers and lakes. Blastomyces is endemic to the Mississippi and Ohio river valleys and the vicinity of the Great Lakes. Outbreaks of blastomycosis are often associated with disruptions of the soil that might lead to the artificial elevation of spore
Spore
In biology, a spore is a reproductive structure that is adapted for dispersal and surviving for extended periods of time in unfavorable conditions. Spores form part of the life cycles of many bacteria, plants, algae, fungi and some protozoa. According to scientist Dr...
and/or hyphal fragments in the air. These agents infect human and animal hosts when they are inhaled. At the elevated temperature of 37°C in a host, the fungus undergoes a phase transition to the pathogenic yeast
Yeast
Yeasts are eukaryotic micro-organisms classified in the kingdom Fungi, with 1,500 species currently described estimated to be only 1% of all fungal species. Most reproduce asexually by mitosis, and many do so by an asymmetric division process called budding...
form. Yeast form cells multiply in the lung and may cause disease in immuno-competent hosts, sometimes disseminating to the skin, central nervous system and bones. Blastomycosis is more commonly diagnosed in pets than in humans, especially dogs.
External links
- http://www.mycology.adelaide.edu.au/Fungal_Descriptions/Dimorphic_Pathogens/Blastomyces/
- http://pathmicro.med.sc.edu/mycology/mycology-6.htm