Coccidioidomycosis

Coccidioidomycosis (pronounced: kɒkˌsɪdiɔɪdoʊmaɪˈkoʊsɪs), also known as Valley Fever, is a fungal infection caused by the Coccidioides species. The term is derived from the genus name Coccidioides (from the Greek kokkis, meaning "berry", and eidos, meaning "form") and the suffix -mycosis, indicating a fungal disease.

Causes

Coccidioidomycosis is caused by the inhalation of spores of the fungi Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadasii. These fungi are commonly found in soil and dust in specific regions, particularly the southwestern United States, parts of Mexico, and Central and South America.

Symptoms

Symptoms of coccidioidomycosis can range from mild, flu-like symptoms to severe pneumonia. In some cases, the infection can spread to other parts of the body, including the skin, bones, joints, lymph nodes, and central nervous system. This is known as disseminated coccidioidomycosis.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis is typically made through laboratory tests that detect antibodies to the Coccidioides fungi in the blood, or through a culture that grows the fungi from a sample of sputum, tissue, or other body fluid.

Treatment

Treatment for coccidioidomycosis depends on the severity of the infection. Mild cases often resolve without treatment, while more severe or disseminated infections may require antifungal medications such as fluconazole or amphotericin B.

Related Terms

Mycosis: A general term for a fungal infection.
Pneumonia: An infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs.
Antifungal: A medication used to treat fungal infections.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Coccidioidomycosis
Wikipedia's article - Coccidioidomycosis

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Coccidioidomycosis