Gilchrist Disease

It is also called as Chicago disease, Gilchrist?s mycosis. It is a chronic granulomatous and suppurative systemic disease caused by the fungus Blastomyes dermatiditis.The skin lesions are charecterized by papules or papulopustules which develop in to crusted, warty eruptions and discharging sinuses.

 The common sites of rashes are face and facial orifices. When the infection spreads it may involve urogenitla system like bladder, kidney, prostate, testes.

The port of entry of fungus is throught the respiratory tract. It is associated with out door activities like camping, logging and hunting.

The disease occur more commonly in people with weakened immune system as in AIDS,in people who have undergone organ transplantation

Symptoms

• Flu-like symptoms.
• Fever.
• Chills.
• Productive cough.
• Myalgia.
• Shortness of breath.
• Weight loss.
• Sweating.
• Chest pain.
• Fatigue.

Diagnosis

• Chest x-ray
• Skin biopsy
• Sputum culture and examination under the microscope after applying special stains to sputum
• Tissue biopsy.

Treatment

Antifungals may be prescribes like Fluconazole, Itrconazole, Ketoconazole, Amphotericin B