Lower-extremity manifestations of coccidioidomycosis

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Musculoskeletal manifestations of lower-extremity coccidioidomycosis: a case series
William Estes et al
J Bone Jt Infect. 2024 Jul 25;9(4):197-205

 

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Coccidioidomycosis, also known as Valley Fever, is a fungal infection caused by the soil-dwelling fungi Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii. The infection is primarily contracted by inhaling the spores of these fungi, which are found in the arid and semi-arid soils of the southwestern United States, Mexico, and parts of Central and South America. When inhaled, the spores can infect the lungs, causing flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, chest pain, and fatigue. Most cases of Valley Fever are mild and resolve on their own, but in some individuals, especially those with weakened immune systems, the infection can become severe and spread to other parts of the body, including the skin, bones, and central nervous system, leading to chronic symptoms and potentially life-threatening complications. Diagnosis typically involves blood tests, imaging, or culturing the fungus, while treatment ranges from supportive care to antifungal medications for more severe cases. Due to its geographic association, Valley Fever poses a particular risk to individuals living in or traveling through endemic areas, with rising incidence linked to increased dust exposure and climate changes.

Coccidioidomycosis

Fungal infection

Not to be confused with Coccidiosis.

Medical condition

Coccidioidomycosis (/kɒkˌsɪdiɔɪdoʊmaɪˈkoʊsɪs/, kok-SID-ee-oy-doh-my-KOH-sis) is a mammalian fungal disease caused by Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadasii.^[3] It is commonly known as cocci,^[4] Valley fever,^[4] California fever,^[5] desert rheumatism,^[5] or San Joaquin Valley fever.^[5] Coccidioidomycosis is endemic in certain parts of the United States in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, and northern Mexico.^[6]

1. ^ ^{a b c} Proia, Laurie (2020). "28. The dimorphic mycoses". In Spec, Andrej; Escota, Gerome V.; Chrisler, Courtney; Davies, Bethany (eds.). Comprehensive Review of Infectious Diseases. Elsevier. pp. 418–419. ISBN 978-0-323-56866-1.
2. ^ "ICD-11 - ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics". icd.who.int. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
3. ^ Nguyen C, Barker BM, Hoover S, Nix DE, Ampel NM, Frelinger JA, Orbach MJ, Galgiani JN (July 2013). "Recent advances in our understanding of the environmental, epidemiological, immunological, and clinical dimensions of coccidioidomycosis". Clin Microbiol Rev. 26 (3): 505–25. doi:10.1128/CMR.00005-13. PMC 3719491. PMID 23824371.
4. ^ ^{a b} Malo J, Luraschi-Monjagatta C, Wolk DM, Thompson R, Hage CA, Knox KS (February 2014). "Update on the diagnosis of pulmonary coccidioidomycosis". Annals of the American Thoracic Society. 11 (2): 243–53. doi:10.1513/AnnalsATS.201308-286FR. PMID 24575994.
5. ^ ^{a b c} Rapini, Ronald P.; Bolognia, Jean L.; Jorizzo, Joseph L. (2007). Dermatology: 2-Volume Set. St. Louis: Mosby. ISBN 978-1-4160-2999-1.
6. ^ Hector R, Laniado-Laborin R (2005). "Coccidioidomycosis—A Fungal Disease of the Americas". PLOS Med. 2 (1): e2. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.0020002. PMC 545195. PMID 15696207.

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