Risk Factors for Acquisition of Endemic Blastomycosis
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Date
2009-1-1
Authors
Choptiany, Maxym
Wiebe, Lyle
Limerick, Bill
Sarsfield, Pete
Cheang, Mary
Light, Bruce
Hammond, Greg
MacDonald, Kerry
Trepman, Elly
Pappas, Peter
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Blastomycosis is potentially fatal, but environmental risk factors for acquiring blastomycosis are not well established.METHOD: Matched cross-sectional questionnaire of 112 patients with history of blastomycosis and 118 control subjects in Manitoba and northwestern Ontario.RESULTS: The most common tissues involved with blastomycosis were pulmonary, skin and soft tissues, and bone. A significantly greater proportion of patients with blastomycosis than control subjects were involved in outdoor occupations. A significantly greater percentage of patients with blastomycosis were immunosuppressed either from collagen vascular disease or immunosuppressive therapy, or had hypothyroidism. A significant association between canine and human blastomycosis was not observed.CONCLUSIONS: Independent risk factors for development of blastomycosis included immunosuppression for any reason (including drugs or disease), collagen vascular disease, being an outdoor worker, and having a coworker with blastomycosis. Canine blastomycosis was not a risk factor for human disease in dog owners.
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Citation
Maxym Choptiany, Lyle Wiebe, Bill Limerick, et al., “Risk Factors for Acquisition of Endemic Blastomycosis,” Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, vol. 20, no. 4, pp. 117-121, 2009. doi:10.1155/2009/824101