Blastomycosis in the Hmong population: New research from the University of Wisconsin – Madison



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A new study by researchers at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, Caitlin Pepperell and Bruce Klein, has identified a specific genetic vulnerability in Hmong that makes them more susceptible to the pathogenic fungus, Blastomyces dermatitidis.

Blastomyces dermatitidis / CDC

"We were struck by this because it had not been described before the rates were 10 to 100 times higher than we could hope based on the number of people alone, "said Klein, an infectious disease physician and professor of pediatrics, internal medicine and psychiatry. Medical Microbiology and Immunology at the UW School of Medicine SMPH). "It was really a sacred question – why are some people more vulnerable and what is it based on?"

Pepperell, also an infectious disease physician and badociate professor of medicine, medical microbiology and immunology at SMPH, is particularly aware of the understanding of these vulnerabilities. higher risk.

"Unfortunately, the typical history of blastomycosis is a significant delay in diagnosis because it is a (relatively) rare disease and people do not know it," says Pepperell. The more people are treated early, the better their results.

Read more on The University of Wisconsin-Madison

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