Blastomyces dermatitidis

MICROBIOLOGY

• Dimorphic fungus. One of the "endemic fungi."
• In North America found along Mississippi, Missouri, St. Lawrence and Ohio rivers, and the regions that border Great Lakes in U.S. and Canada.
  • Occurs in Africa, and a few cases have been reported in Europe, Mexico, Central and South America, the Middle East and India. Most cases reported in North America.
• Grows as a broad-based budding yeast at 37^oC. At 25^oC, produces mycelia and can produce conidia.
• Grows in moist soil with acidic pH and high organic content (decaying vegetation, close to water, areas of high humidity).
• Commercially available molecular probe offers rapid identification of culture.