Which treatment is appropriate for Blastomyces dermatitidis?

The appropriate treatment for Blastomyces dermatitidis is Itraconazole, which is an antifungal medication commonly used to treat infections caused by this fungus. Blastomyces dermatitidis is known to cause blastomycosis, a respiratory infection that can spread to other parts of the body, including the skin and bones.

Itraconazole is particularly effective because it has good absorption and distribution properties in various tissues and an excellent safety profile compared to other antifungals. It works by disrupting the fungal cell membrane, which is critical in managing the infection effectively and helping the immune system to clear the organism.

While Amphotericin B is also an antifungal and can be used for severe cases of blastomycosis, Itraconazole is generally the first-line treatment for mild to moderate infections due to its effectiveness and tolerability in most patients. Flucytosine is not typically used as the first-line treatment for this specific infection and is more often reserved for specific cases like cryptococcal meningitis. Valacyclovir is an antiviral medication and does not have any efficacy against fungal infections like blastomycosis.