Marine Mammal Zoonotic Fungi 

Blastomycoses

A veterinarian treating a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) developed lymphadenitis and cellulitis and was subsequently diagnosed with Blastomyces dermatitidis via immunofluorescent staining of a skin biopsy. No treatment was initiated and the infection resolved on its own (Cates, Kaufman et al. 1986).

Organism
Blastomyces dermatitidis is a saprophytic dimorphic fungi. Humans and animals are usually infected via inhalation (Howard 1983).

Clinical disease in humans and marine mammals
Primary infection occurs in the lungs causing granulomatous lesions. Spread of the disease can occur resulting in granulomatous lesions in skin and other organs (Howard 1983).

Treatment
Treatment of blastomycosis is with antifungal such as itraconazole, fluconazole, or amphoteracin B.
 

 Back to Top

[ Home ] [ Up ] [ Viruses ] [ Bacteria ] [ Fungi ] [References]