1160. Ecological Study for Pulmonary Blastomycosis

Abstract

BackgroundThere has been a global increase in people who are intravenous drug user, diabetic, and elderly (aged greater than 65 years). These characteristics may alter the incidence of new diseases and potentially affect how diseases are diagnosed. As such this study’s purpose was to investigate baseline characteristics of patients with pulmonary blastomycosis. Case studies for Blastomyces have demonstrated positive cultures in 72% to 87% of patients. Therefore data will be analyzed to determine if there is any significant difference in culture results.MethodsThis study was a retrospective single-center ecological study. Patient charts were identified via ICD code search for blastomycosis. All protected health information was de-identified following data collection.Results32 patients were identified with either pathology or culture proven blastomycosis. 8 patients (25%) had positive fungal cultures for blastomycosis. The average age of patients with pulmonary blastomycosis was 59.5 years old with 11 elderly patients (34%). There were 11 females (34%); 2 with hepatitis C (6%); 12 with diabetes (38%); 10 with immunosuppression (pancytopenia, chronic steroid usage, organ transplant, cystic fibrosis) (32%); 9 with COPD (32%); 21 with Tobacco abuse (67%); 7 with cancer (22%); 7 with work exposure (working around turned dirt or indoor mold) (22%) and 1 with opiate use (3%). No significant difference was found for culture results.Baseline Characteristics Culture Characteristics ConclusionOur culture results were exceedingly low in part due to some samples not being collected for fungal culturing and having to send-out the samples. The average age was consistent with the endemic region of Tennessee around 59 the previous 10 years.. 2/3 of the patients were tobacco abusers which may have contributed to some impaired ability to clear the fungal spores. Less than half of the patients were elderly, diabetic, immunosuppressed, or intravenous drug users therefore endemic inoculation may still be the main cause.Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures