blastomycosis

noun

blas·​to·​my·​co·​sis ˌbla-stə-ˌmī-ˈkō-səs 

: any of several fungal infections

especially : an infectious disease caused by a yeast fungus (Blastomyces dermititidis) that affects especially the lungs and skin

Examples of blastomycosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And other researchers have identified cases of a novel blastomycosis in Saskatchewan and Alberta, pushing the map of where that infection occurs further north and west. —Maryn McKenna, WIRED, 25 Aug. 2023

In April, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services rushed to investigate cases of a fungal infection called blastomycosis centered on a paper mill, an outbreak that would grow to 118 people, the largest ever recorded. —Maryn McKenna, WIRED, 25 Aug. 2023

For others, symptoms of blastomycosis often mirror a cold or flu — cough, fever, body aches, night sweats. —Keith Matheny, Detroit Free Press, 9 May 2023

So, as the blastomycosis outbreak emerged, the community activated. —Freep.com, 23 Apr. 2023

The Billerud blastomycosis outbreak is the largest of its kind in an industrial setting in U.S. history. —Keith Matheny, Detroit Free Press, 9 May 2023

Although the number of blastomycosis cases has increased since the previous update, that doesn’t necessarily mean exposures are ongoing, the county health departments said Friday. —Jamie Gumbrecht, CNN, 1 May 2023

There are only 1 or 2 cases per 100,000 people each year in states where blastomycosis is a reportable condition, according to the CDC. —Jamie Gumbrecht, CNN, 1 May 2023

In some people, especially those with weakened immune systems, blastomycosis can become serious. —Keith Matheny, Detroit Free Press, 17 Apr. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

New Latin Blastomyces, singular of Blastomycetes, former taxon comprising yeasts (from blasto- blasto- + -mycetes, borrowed from Greek mýkētes, plural of mýkēs "mushroom, fungus") + -osis — more at myc-

Note: The disease-causing agent of blastomycosis is given the specific name Blastomyces dermatitidis by T. Caspar Gilchrist and William Royal Stokes in "A case of pseudo-lupus vulgaris caused by a blastomyces," Journal of Experimental Medicine, vol. 3 (1898), p. 76.

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

blastomycosis

noun

blas·​to·​my·​co·​sis -ˌmī-ˈkō-səs 

plural blastomycoses -ˌsēz 

: either of two infectious diseases caused by yeastlike fungi see blastomyces, north american blastomycosis, south american blastomycosis

blastomycotic

-ˈkät-ik 

adjective