coccidioidomycosis

Last reviewed 01/2018

This is infection with the fungus Coccidioides immitis which is typically found in soil. It is endemic in South Western United States.

The infective agent is the arthrospore which can undergo two life cycles:

• primarily in the soil
• secondarily in a potential host

There are about 100,000 infections with C. immitis in the USA each year. Humans and animals are at risk.

The disease is usually a subclinical respiratory tract infection however severe systemic forms of the disease exist.