Coccidioidomycosis - disseminated

Definition

Disseminated coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection that spreads through the bloodstream and involves many organs.

Alternative Names

Coccidioidomycosis - systemic

Causes

Coccidioidomycosis is caused by breathing in spores of Coccidioides immitis, a fungus found in the soil in certain parts of the southwestern U.S., Mexico, and Central and South America.

Most acute infections cause no symptoms and are only recognized by a positive coccidioidin skin test. Other times, the symptoms range from mild to severe.

In the disseminated form of the disease, the infection may spread to the bones, lungs, liver, brain, skin, heart, and pericardium (sac around the heart). Meningitis occurs in 30 - 50% of cases of disseminated disease.

The following increases your risk of disseminated coccidioidomycosis:

• Diabetes
• Immunosuppression such as that caused by HIV infection
• Pregnancy
• Traveling to or living in southwestern deserts of the United States

References

Galgiani JN, Ampel NM, Catanzaro A, Johnson RH, Stevens DA, Williams PL. Practice guidelines for the treatment of coccidioidomycosis. Clin Infect Dis. April 2000;30:658-661.

Chiller TM. Coccidioidomycosis. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2003; 17(1): 41-57, viii.

Murray J, Nadel J. Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2000.

Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 5th ed. London, UK: Churchill Livingstone; 2000:2746-2755.

Galgiani JN, Ampel N, Blair JE, et al. Coccidioidomycosis. Clin Infect Dis. 2005;41:1217-23.