blastomycosis

noun

blas·​to·​my·​co·​sis ˌbla-stə-ˌmī-ˈkō-səs How to pronounce blastomycosis (audio)
: 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 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'blastomycosis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of blastomycosis was in 1899

Dictionary Entries Near blastomycosis

Cite this Entry

“Blastomycosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blastomycosis. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.

Medical Definition

blastomycosis

noun
blas·​to·​my·​co·​sis -ˌmī-ˈkō-səs How to pronounce blastomycosis (audio)
plural blastomycoses -ˌsēz How to pronounce blastomycosis (audio)
: either of two infectious diseases caused by yeastlike fungi see blastomyces, north american blastomycosis, south american blastomycosis
blastomycotic adjective

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