infections
Coccidioidomycosis
Introduction
Coccidioidomycosis is an infection, usually of the lungs, caused by the fungusCoccidioides immitisorCoccidioides posadasii. The infection is caused by inhaling spores of the fungus. If mild, the lung infection causes flu-like symptoms and sometimes shortness of breath, but the infection may worsen and spread throughout the body, causing various symptoms. The diagnosis can be confirmed by identifying the fungi in samples of infected materials examined under a microscope or cultured. Treatment is with antifungal medications. (See also Overview of Fungal Infections .) The spores ofCoccidioidesare present in soil in the southwestern United States, the central valley of California, parts of New Mexico, Texas west of El Paso, northern Mexico, and parts of Central America and Argentina. They also can be found in Utah, Nevada, and southcentral Washington. Coccidioidomycosis causes about 15 to 30% of cases of Community-Acquired Pneumonia (a lung infection that develops in people who are not patients in a hospital) in metropolitan areas of Arizona such as Tucson and Phoenix. In the United States, 20,003 cases of coccidioidomycosis were reported in 2019. Coccidioidomycosis is acquired by inhaling spores. Spores are present in soil and can become airborne when the soil is disturbed and dust travels downwind. Farmers and others who work with or are exposed to disturbed soil are most likely to inhale the spores and become infected. People who become infected while traveling may not develop symptoms until after they go home. Coccidioidomycosis occurs in two forms: Acute primary coccidioidomycosisis a mild lung infection. The infection disappears without treatment. This form accounts for most cases. Progressive coccidioidomycosisis a severe, rapidly worsening infection. The infection spreads from the lungs throughout the body and is often fatal. 