Clinical use
Serological diagnosis of blastomycosis, which is endemic to parts of the USA and Canada.
Background
Blastomycosis is an infection caused by a fungus called Blastomyces. The fungus lives in the environment, particularly in moist soil and in decomposing matter such as wood and leaves. In the United States, the fungus mainly lives in the mid-western, south-central, and south-eastern states, particularly in areas surround Ohio and Mississippi River valleys, the Great Lakes and the Saint Lawrence River. People can get blastomycosis after breathing in the microscopic fungal spores for the air. Although most people who breathe in the spores don’t get sick, some people will develop symptoms like fever and cough and the infection can sometimes become serious if it is not treated.
Specimen requirments
Serum/clotted blood (Yellow top)
Turnaround time
3-12 days
Analysing laboratory
PHE Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Infection Services, PHE South West Laboratory, Science, Quarter, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, BS10 5NB