About Valley Fever

Coccidioides immitis and C. posadasii are pathogenic dimorphic fungi responsible for causing coccidioidomycosis in the southwestern part of the United States, Central and South America. Incidence of this disease continues to rise in endemic areas. Coccidioidomycosis starts as a respiratory illness and in less than 1% of cases disseminates to other anatomic sites. Antifungal therapy is beneficial and entails careful periodic assessment with therapies ranging from none or short courses of therapy, to prolonged or lifetime antifungal therapy. Factors that influence the decision to treat are the duration or severity of infection, radiographic findings, complement fixation titers, presence of underlying immunosuppression, and comorbidites. Cure for disseminated infection is infrequent with current treatment regimens. The following links introduce the epidemiology, diagnosis, clinical manifestations, and treatment options for Coccidioidomycosis.

• Epidemiology
• Clinical use of Diagnostic Testing
• Explanation of Coccidioides Diagnostic Testing
• Clinical Manifestations and types of disease
  
  • Primary Pulmonary Infection
  • Diffuse Pneumonia and ARDS
  • Residual Nodule, Cavities, And Chronic Infiltrates/Pneumonia
  • Extrapulmonary Disease (eg bone, skin etc)
  • Coccidioidal Meningitis
• Coccidioidomycosis in Immunocompromised Patients
• Treatment: Antifungal Therapy
• Salvage agents and future therapies