Search
Coccidioides immitis
Epidemiology:
- in the US, Coccidioides immitis is concentrated in the southwest, especially in the San Joaquin valley of California
- distribution extends into the Sonoran desert region of northern Mexico
- Coccidiodes immitis is also endemic to regions of Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina & a small section of northern Venezuela
- epidemic infections may occur
Pathology:
- disease is acquired via arthroconidia of the mold phase which disperse into the air
- the majority of primary infections resolve spontaneously without specific treatment
Laboratory:
- Coccidioides immitis serology
- Coccidioides immitis antigen in tissue/body fluid
- Coccidioides immitis DNA
- Coccidioides immitis rRNA
- microscopy: thick-walled, round structures
Related
coccidioidomycosis
General
Coccidioides
Properties
KINGDOM: plant
DIVISION: EUMYCOPHYTA
References
- Manual of Medical Therapeutics, 28th ed, Ewald &
McKenzie (eds), Little, Brown & Co, Boston, 1995, pg 324
- Clinical Diagnosis & Management by Laboratory Methods,
19th edition, J.B. Henry (ed), W.B. Saunders Co.,
Philadelphia, PA. 1996, pg 1234
- Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 20
American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 2025