Analysis index

Antibody demonstration: 1 ml serum

PCR: EDTA-blood, sputum, BAL, puncture and biopsy specimens

Pathogen detection: BAL, sputum, puncture and biopsy specimens

Cultures only after prior telephone discussion.

Titer: < 1:10

PCR: negative

Suspicion of imported systemic mycosis

Blastomyces dermatitidis is the pathogen of the Northern American blastomycosis.

Incidence: Central- and South Eastern US, Central America, Canada, Africa, but also in India, Israel and Saudi Arabia. Communication via spore-containing dusts. Incubation time from 3 weeks to several months. Initially, pulmonary infestation with high fever, cough and lobular infiltrates, in 50 % of patients asymptomatic course, later focal infestation of skin, lungs, bones and liver as chronic-granulomatous infection.

According to the technical rules for biological agents (TRBA) no. 460, this is a pathogen of risk group 3. This means, that there is a high level of threat for laboratory personnel when bacterial cultures are grown (pathogen detection). In case of such a request, prior telephone consultation is required.

For further information, please refer to www.rki.de

Robert Koch-Institut, Standort Berlin Konsiliarlabor Mykologie