Coccidioidomycosis
Coccidioidomycosis is caused by breathing in the spores of a fungus in desert regions. The infection spreads through the bloodstream and involves many organs. Coccidioides immitis is a fungus found mainly in soil. Coccidioidomycosis, is most commonly found in the deserts of the southwestern United States and Central and South America. Coccidioidomycosis is the infection caused by the dimorphic fungus.Those with Coccidioidomycosis have inhaled this infective fungus. The lungs are the most commonly affected. In severe cases, Coccidioidomycosis can also involve the kidneys, lymph system, brain, and spleen. It is caused by Coccidioides immitis, a dimorphic fungus that grows as a mold in the soil. The mold forms arthroconidia within the hypha, a type of conidia formation known as enteroarthric development. Coccidioidomycosis is the only species within the primary pathogenic fungi that has this type of conidia development. Alternate conidia undergo autolysis, leaving empty spaces between viable arthroconidia. The arthroconidia are released into the atmosphere when the wind ruptures the hypha. Coccidioidomycosis infects humans and animals almost exclusively by the respiratory route Once inhaled, the arthroconidia cluster in the lungs and undergo a dramatic morphologic change. The round cells, which develop into spherules, undergo repeated internal divisions until they are filled with hundreds to thousands of offspring, termed endospores. This process occurs over seventy hours
Coccidioidomycosis probably had its most profound effect on the population of the United States during Coccidioidomycosis may affect anyone, but if you are pregnant or your immune system is weak, you are especially vulnerable. The disease tends to be more serious in dark-skinned people. Persons in areas with endemic disease who have occupations exposing them to dust. High risk groups are African-Americans and Asians, pregnant women during the third trimester, and immunocompromised persons. When the spherule ruptures, each released endospore has the capacity to develop into a mature spherule Coccidioidomycosis infects humans by the respiratory route, exposure to dust is one critical factor determining the risk for infection. Coccidioidomycosis is not spread from person to person, except in extraordinary circumstances.
Causes of Coccidioidomycosis
Common causes of Coccidioidomycosis
- Breathing in spores.
- Soil.
- Bloodstream.
- Acute infections.
Symptoms of Coccidioidomycosis
Common symptoms of Coccidioidomycosis
- Fever.
- Chills.
- Joint swelling.
- Joint pain.
- Headache.
- Muscle stiffness.
- Muscle aches.
- Neck stiffness or shoulder stiffness.
- Change in mental status.
- Sensitivity to light.
- Chest pain.
- Cough.
- Weight loss.
Treatment of Coccidioidomycosis
Common Treatment of Coccidioidomycosis
- Amphotericin B has often been used as initial therapy, but is increasingly being supplanted by therapy with an oral azole.
- Ketoconazole may be used to reduce the risk of extra pulmonary dissemination or to obtain remission after dissemination occurs.
- Itraconazole is drug is more expensive than ketoconazole but some good results have been achieved. Treatment in mild cases is usually successful and many respiratory cases would probably resolve on their own without treatment.
- The acute disease almost always goes away without treatment. Bedrest and treatment of flu-like symptoms until fever disappears may be recommended.
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