Experimental epidemiology of coccidioidomycosis.

Converse, J L; Reed, R E

doi:10.1128/mmbr.30.3.678-695.1966

Cited by 14 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…18,19 Overall, in numerous studies, in mice and other animal species, the course of infection has been shown to be progressive with increases in the fungal burden in the organs, and increases in organ weight. 1,[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] The relative virulence of a pathogen is determined by both the organism and the host. For Coccidioides, differences in the virulence of strains have been shown in murine models of infection.…”

Section: Pathogenesis and Virulencementioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Animal Models of Coccidioidomycosis

Clemons¹,

Capilla²,

Stevens³

2007

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

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Experimental models of coccidioidomycosis performed using various laboratory animals have been, and remain, a critical component of elucidation and understanding of the pathogenesis and host resistance to infection with Coccidioides spp., as well as to development of more efficacious antifungal therapies. The general availability of genetically defined strains, immunological reagents, ease of handling, and costs all contribute to the use of mice as the primary laboratory animal species for models of this disease. Five types of murine models are studied and include primary pulmonary disease, intraperitoneal with dissemination, intravenous infection emulating systemic disease, and intracranial or intrathecal infection emulating meningeal disease. Each of these models has been used to examine various aspects of host resistance, pathogenesis, or antifungal therapy. Other rodent species, such as rat, have been used much less frequently. A rabbit model of meningeal disease, established by intracisternal infection, has proven to model human meningitis well. This model is useful in studies of host response, as well as in therapy studies. A variety of other animal species including dogs, primates, and guinea pigs have been used to study host response and vaccine efficacy. However, cost and increased needs of animal care and husbandry are limitations that influence the use of the larger animal species.

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Section: Pathogenesis and Virulencementioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Animal Models of Coccidioidomycosis

Clemons¹,

Capilla²,

Stevens³

2007

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

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“…Published data on airborne infection by C. immitis spores are sparse. Approximately 40 years ago, U.S. Army researchers conducted experiments in which small groups of Rhesus monkeys ( Macaca mulatta ) were exposed to different spore aerosol concentrations (25–27) . These data are summarized in Table I.…”

Section: Coccidioides Immitismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A plausible deterministic model for humans is the following. Human susceptibility is thought to lie between that of the monkey and the dog, and studies have shown that intratracheal inoculation of 10 C. immitis spores infects 100% of dogs (26) . The inhalation dose infecting nearly 100% of exposed humans should also be ≤10 spores, and it is thought that as few as one or two spores can initiate infection in many individuals (12) .…”

Section: Coccidioides Immitismentioning

confidence: 99%

A Risk Analysis for Airborne Pathogens with Low Infectious Doses: Application to Respirator Selection Against Coccidioides immitis Spores

Nicas¹,

Hubbard²

2002

Risk Analysis

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Probability models incorporating a deterministic versus stochastic infectious dose are described for estimating infection risk due to airborne pathogens that infect at low doses. Such pathogens can be occupational hazards or candidate agents for bioterrorism. Inputs include parameters for the infectious dose model, distribution parameters for ambient pathogen concentrations, the breathing rate, the duration of an exposure period, the anticipated number of exposure periods, and, if a respirator device is used, distribution parameters for respirator penetration values. Application of the models is illustrated with a hypothetical scenario involving exposure to Coccidioides immitis, a fungus present in soil in areas of the southwestern United States Inhaling C. immitis spores causes a respiratory tract infection and is a recognized occupational hazard in jobs involving soil dust exposure in endemic areas An uncertainty analysis is applied to risk estimation in the context of selecting respiratory protection with a desired degree of efficacy.

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“…Laboratory studies have shown that as few as 10 arthroconidia are sufficient to cause an infection in dogs and monkeys (Converse and Reed, 1966) and it has been suggested that even a single arthroconidia could be responsible for infection in humans (Bulmer, 1979;Galgiani, 1993). Many severe infections in animals and humans are related to inhaling aerosols containing high doses of arthroconidia derived from sites where C. immitis is present in the soils (Converse and Reed, 1966;Pappagianis, 1988). Once an individual has been infected by C. immitis, even mild cases, and is skin-tested positive, immunity to additional infection by C. immitis is developed (Fiese, 1958, pp 92-97;Galgiani, 1999).…”

Section: Character Of the Diseasementioning

confidence: 99%

Operational guidelines (version 1.0) for geological fieldwork in areas endemic for Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever)

Fisher¹,

Bultman²,

Pappagianis³

2000

Open-File Report

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Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) is a disease caused by the inhalation of the arthroconidia (spores) of Coccidioides immitis, a fungus that lives in the soils of southwestern United States. Although large numbers of people are exposed to the arthroconidia and are consequently infected, very few individuals contract the more serious forms of the disease. Earth scientists working in field areas where Coccidioides immitis is endemic have an increased risk of becoming infected. Because field operations often disturb the upper surface of the ground, they may inhale large numbers of arthroconidia. This also increases their risk of developing more severe forms of the disease. Any other occupations or activities that create dusty conditions in endemic areas also have increased risk of infection. Risk management strategies can lower the incidence of infection and also reduce the numbers of arthroconidia inhaled thereby decreasing the chances of developing more serious disease. Dust control, by utilizing dust masks, and dust prevention, by limiting ground disturbing activities, are the primary weapons against infection. However, infection risk can also be lowered by conducting fields studies in the winter months; avoiding sites favorable for Coccidioides immitis growth; seeking prompt medical treatment if flu-like or respiratory illness occur during, or within a few weeks following, fieldwork; getting a coccidioidin skin test to determine susceptibility to the disease; and by educating all members of the field party about the possibilities and consequences of infection.

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Experimental epidemiology of coccidioidomycosis.

Cited by 14 publications

References 7 publications

Experimental Animal Models of Coccidioidomycosis

Experimental Animal Models of Coccidioidomycosis

A Risk Analysis for Airborne Pathogens with Low Infectious Doses: Application to Respirator Selection Against Coccidioides immitis Spores

Operational guidelines (version 1.0) for geological fieldwork in areas endemic for Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever)

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