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Arch Dermatol. 2006;142:385-390.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

Diagnosis: Blastomycosis.

MICROSCOPIC FINDINGS AND CLINICAL COURSE

The specimen from the left cheek showed epidermal hyperplasia with intraepidermal granulomatous inflammation and small microabscesses. The papillary dermis was edematous, with capillary proliferation and lymphoplasmacytic inflammation. Granulomatous hyperplasia containing vacuolated giant cells was also present in the dermis. Methenamine silver staining demonstrated a broad-based yeast form consistent with blastomycosis (Figure 3, arrow).

Figure appears in full text version. Figure 3.

DISCUSSION

Blastomycosis is a systemic fungal infection that is caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis. Primary infection results from inhalation of B dermatitidis conidia and may be subclinical or present as a mild respiratory infection. Secondary infection most commonly involves the skin but can also affect the skeletal and nervous systems. Interestingly, approximately 25% of men have involvement of the reproductive system, particularly the epididymis and the prostate, which could explain the development of our patient's prostatitis 1 month before the cutaneous manifestations appeared.¹

Blastomyces dermatitidis is endemic in the Ohio and Mississippi river valleys.² . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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Arch Dermatol. 2006;142(3):385-390.
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