What type of disease is coccidioidomycosis?
Valley fever, also called coccidioidomycosis, is an infection caused by the fungus Coccidioides. The fungus is known to live in the soil in the southwestern United States and parts of Mexico and Central and South America. The fungus was also recently found in south-central Washington.
What are Coccidioides organisms?
Coccidioides is a dimorphic fungus, meaning that it assumes 2 different forms, yeast or mold, depending on the environment. In soil, Coccidioides grows as a mold (mycelium) with branching septate hyphae. During the rainy season, the mycelia grow rapidly, but they are also the least infectious form of the organism.
What is coccidioidomycosis English?
: a disease especially of humans and domestic animals that is caused by inhalation of spores from either of two fungi (Coccidioides immitis or C.
Why is coccidioidomycosis called Valley Fever?
Valley Fever derives its name from its discovery in the San Joaquin Valley of California, where it was also referred to as “San Joaquin Valley Fever” or “Desert Rheumatism.” The medical name for Valley Fever is coccidioidomycosis (often shortened to “cocci”).
Is Coccidioides a yeast?
How do humans get coccidioidomycosis?
Coccidioidomycosis is acquired by inhaling spores. Spores are present in soil and can become airborne in dust that can travel downwind. Thus, certain occupations (eg, farming, construction) and outdoor recreational activities increase risk.
What is pulmonary coccidioidomycosis?
Coccidioidomycosis, commonly referred to as “Valley fever,” is an infection that typically affects the lungs. It is caused by a fungus found in the soil in the southwestern United States and California, northern Mexico and parts of Central and South America.
What is the other name of coccidioidomycosis?
The scientific name for Valley fever is “coccidioidomycosis,” and it’s also sometimes called “San Joaquin Valley fever” or “desert rheumatism.” The term “Valley fever” usually refers to Coccidioides infection in the lungs, but the infection can spread to other parts of the body in severe cases (this is called “ …
What is coccidioidomycosis unspecified?
A fungal infection caused by coccidioides immitis. Affected individuals usually have mild flu-like symptoms. However, pneumonia and systemic involvement with the formation of abscesses may develop as complications of the disease.
How is coccidioidomycosis diagnosis?
The most common way that healthcare providers test for Valley fever is by taking a blood sample and sending it to a laboratory to look for Coccidioides antibodies or antigens. Healthcare providers may do imaging tests such as chest x-rays or CT scans of your lungs to look for Valley fever pneumonia.
Is coccidioides a mold?
What causes Zygomycosis?
Zygomycosis is any infection caused by fungi in the class Zygomycetes commonly found in soil or decomposing vegetation and animal matter. There are two major orders of Zygomycetes that cause infection in humans — Mucorales and Entomophthorales.