infections
Blastomycosis
Diagnosis of Blastomycosis
Examination and culture of a sample of infected material Chest x-ray A doctor diagnoses blastomycosis by sending a sample of sputum or infected tissue to a laboratory to be examined under a microscope and cultured. A chest x-ray is taken to check for signs of infection in the lungs. Doctors may also do a urine and blood test to look for proteins ( Overview of the Immune System ) released by the fungus. Tests That Detect Genetic Material in Microorganisms , such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), can be done. The PCR test is used to produce many copies of a gene from a microorganism, making the microorganism much easier to identify. 