Blastomyces dermatitidis
A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Blastomyces dermatitidis
Classification
Fungi; Ascomycota; Ascomycetes; Incertae sedis; Incertae sedis; Incertae sedis; Blastomyces
Description and significance
Blastomyces dermatitidis is a dimorphic fungal pathogen, found in the Mid-West and Northern United States and Canada. Inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores can cause blastomycosis, which commonly affects the lungs and skin. It also affects the bone, prostate and other organs (2). Although the disease was long thought to be restricted to the North American continent, in recent years autochthonous cases have been diagnosed in Africa, Asia and Europe. All available clinical and epidemiological evidence indicates that humans and lower animals contract blastomycosis from some source in nature. However, the natural habitat of B. dermatitidis has yet to be clearly delineated, despite some reports of its isolation from soil (1).
Genome structure
This is not clear yet
Cell structure, metabolism & life cycle
Provide a physical and biochemical description of the organism. What kind of organism is it, what does it look like, how is it built, what are its metabolic properties, how can it be identified, what is it's life cycle, &c. In other words, describe the organism from its perspective.
Ecology (including pathogenesis)
Describe its habitat, symbiosis, and contributions to environment. If it is a pathogen, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Describe virulence factors and patient symptoms.
Interesting feature
Describe in detail one particularly interesting aspect of your organism or it's affect on humans or the environment.
