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Coccidioidomycosis - disseminated

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Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Disseminated coccidioidomycosis
Disseminated coccidioidomycosis
Fungus
Fungus

Alternative Names    Return to top

Coccidioidomycosis - systemic

Definition    Return to top

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

Causes    Return to top

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:

Symptoms    Return to top

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

Exams and Tests    Return to top

Tests that may be done include:

A biopsy of tissue may be done to determine the area of disseminated disease:

A neurological examination may show abnormalities.

Treatment    Return to top

Bed rest and improved nutrition are recommended. Antifungal drugs are prescribed to treat the infection.

Outlook (Prognosis)    Return to top

People with disseminated disease have a high death rate. Death may be rapid for immunosuppressed patients.

When to Contact a Medical Professional    Return to top

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of disseminated coccidioidomycosis.

Prevention    Return to top

General maintenance of good health will limit the disease to a harmless lung illness. Prevention of AIDS or other causes of impaired immune system will generally prevent the more severe forms of the disease.

References    Return to top

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.

Update Date: 8/6/2007

Updated by: D. Scott Smith, MD., MSc., DTM., Prof. Medical Microbiology & Immunology, Dept. of Human Biology, Stanford Univ. School of Medicine, Stanford, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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