Blastomycosis: What does it mean? What next?

normal cbc but diffuse bone and joint pain and fever. I am curious- I have read in many journals that fever of unknown origin in the face of nonspecific findings with blood work warrants a bone marrow biopsy. Has anyone been through this? How did you get them to agree to a bone marrow biopsy?

Hi @nermal I see you’ve also posted another comment in the Blood Disease group regarding a normal CBC and wondering about a bone marrow biopsy for the low grade fever and bone pain. From what you’ve asked in this Infections Disease group, it appears your doctors are checking for Blastomycosis and have detected some antigens for this fungal infection.
Here’s a little information on the testing for the blastmyces in blood.
https://miravistalabs.com/medical-fungal-infection-testing/antigen-detection/blastomyces-dermatitidis-quantitative-eia-test/
Your doctors will order a bone marrow biopsy if they suspect something wrong in the manufacturing of your blood. Yes, often with a low grade fever, if your blood work is suspicious, they will order a bone narrow biopsy. But from what I’m seeing from combining this post and your other post is that they’re more suspicious of an immune response brought on by a fungal infection or perhaps something like Lyme’s Disease.
With your symptoms have you also been tested for Lyme disease?

Thanks for responding- Mayo has ruled out all infectious diseases except Blasto. The have ruled out any autoimmune disease as well. My test results do not point to anything specific-even the PET showed diffuse bone uptake. Furthermore, they don't think it is long haul covid. So we are left with infectious or occult neoplasia.

Hello @nermal. I see that @loribmt has graciously joined your discussion and shared some of her experience with you as to what you may expect.

You will notice that I have combined both of your posts into this discussion to consolidate the information for others who may be able to join and support you. You can find both of your posts here now: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/blasto-eia-positive-but-id-negative/