Regional Analysis of Coccidioidomycosis Incidence — California, 2000–2018

Cooksey, Gail L Sondermeyer; Nguyen, Alyssa; Vugia, Duc J.; Jain, Seema

doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6948a4

Cited by 32 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention analyzed data from the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System and found that coccidioidomycosis increased substantially from 5.3 per 100,000 population in endemic areas within five states (Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah) in 1998 to 42.6 per 100,000 in 2011 [ 26 ]. Other studies have also demonstrated rising rates, including a study in California showing an increase from 2.4 to 18.8 cases per 100,000 persons from 2000 to 2018, an 800% increase [ 27 – 30 ]. While the number of coccidioidomycosis cases annually in the US has been estimated as 150,000, this is likely an underestimate due to rising incidence rates and missed diagnoses (discussed below); in fact, recent data suggest that the annual number is likely ~ 350,000 [ 31 ].…”

Section: Epidemiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Human activities that can cause the fungus to become airborne [ 30 ] increase the risk for infection. Occupations such as agricultural work; archeology as demonstrated by the outbreak at Dinosaur National Park [ 15 , 16 , 38 ]; firefighting, especially when using hand tools and working in dusty conditions; and construction work, including on solar power farms [ 39 – 42 ], have all been associated with infection acquisition [ 43 ].…”

Section: Epidemiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Diabetes mellitus has been found to be a risk factor for severe and complicated pulmonary infection (e.g., cavitary), and those with uncontrolled blood sugars may also be at risk for dissemination [ 75 ]. In addition to the medical conditions outlined above, studies have noted that males and older adults have an increased risk of disseminated disease [ 30 ]. Of note, extrapulmonary disease is more common in adults than children.…”

Section: Pathogenesis and Risk Factors For Diseasementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Smith, during his landmark studies in the 1940s, recognized that African Americans were particularly affected, and subsequent studies have confirmed this observation. Filipinos also have a higher risk [ 5 , 30 , 32 , 76 ]. There are some data to suggest an increased risk of severe/disseminated disease among Hispanics [ 76 , 77 ], with less data supporting an association among Asians and Native Americans [ 10 , 78 ].…”

Section: Pathogenesis and Risk Factors For Diseasementioning

confidence: 99%

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Coccidioidomycosis: A Contemporary Review

Crum

2022

Infect Dis Ther

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Coccidioidomycosis, colloquially known as Valley Fever, is an invasive dimorphic fungal infection caused by Coccidioides immitis and C. posadasii. The fungi are found in the arid desert soils of the southwestern US, as well as in parts of Mexico and Central and South America. Acquisition is typically via inhalation of arthroconidia which become airborne after both natural (e.g., earthquakes, dust storms, and fires) and human-related events (e.g., military maneuvers, recreational activities, agriculture, and construction). The incidence of infection in increasing likely a result of both climatic and populational changes. Further, the recognized geographic distribution of Coccidioides spp. is expanding, as cases are being diagnosed in new areas (e.g., eastern Washington, Oregon, and Utah). Most coccidioidal infections are asymptomatic (60%); however, approximately one-third develop a pulmonary illness which is a leading cause of community-acquired pneumonia in highly endemic areas. Uncommonly (0.5–2% of cases), the infection disseminates to extrapulmonary locations (e.g., skin, bones/joints, and the central nervous system), and is most commonly seen among persons with cellular immunodeficiencies (e.g., transplant recipients, HIV, and pregnancy) and non-Caucasian races (especially African Americans and Filipinos). The diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis requires astute clinical suspicion and laboratory findings, including positive serology, cultures, and/or histopathology results. Treatment is warranted among persons with pneumonia who have risk factors for complicated disease and among those with extrapulmonary disease. Novel antifungals with improved fungicidal activity and rapidity of action with fewer side effects and drug interactions are needed. Preventive strategies (e.g., education regarding the disease, dust avoidance, mask wearing, including among select groups, antifungal prophylaxis, and surveillance laboratory testing) are advised for residents and travelers to endemic areas. Currently, no preventive vaccine is available. Coccidioidomycosis has been recognized for over a century, and an expanding wealth of knowledge has been gained regarding this emerging infectious disease which will be reviewed here.

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Section: Epidemiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Epidemiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Pathogenesis and Risk Factors For Diseasementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Pathogenesis and Risk Factors For Diseasementioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Coccidioidomycosis: A Contemporary Review

Crum

2022

Infect Dis Ther

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“…Although the numbers vary from year to year, there is a roughly 3-fold increase from 2006 to 2019 as per California Department of Public Health. 1 - 3 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disseminated Coccidioidomycosis: Cutaneous, Soft Tissue, Osseous, and “Shotgun Intraparenchymal” Brain Disease

Sharifi

Sharma

Heidari

et al. 2022

Journal of Investigative Medicine High Impact Case Reports

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Coccidioidomycosis is a disease found in the southwestern United States and caused by inhalation of arthroconidia of Coccidioides immitis and posadasii. Although the disease is most commonly asymptomatic or respiratory, it has a propensity to disseminate to any tissue in the body with the most common being skin, bone, joints, and central nervous system. This case demonstrates the dissemination of coccidioidomycosis to several foci along with a rare form of parenchymal dissemination with an unusual neuroradiological finding.

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Health and Safety Effects of Airborne Soil Dust in the Americas and Beyond

Tong

Baklanov

Barker

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Risks associated with dust hazards are often underappreciated, a gap between the knowledge pool and public awareness that can be costly for impacted communities. This study reviews the emission sources and chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of airborne soil particles (dust) and their effects on human and environmental health and safety in the Pan-American region. American dust originates from both local sources (western United States, northern Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina) and long-range transport from Africa and Asia. Dust properties, as well as the trends and interactions with criteria air pollutants, are summarized. Human exposure to dust is associated with adverse health effects, including asthma, allergies, fungal infections, and premature death. In the Americas, a well-documented and striking effect of soil dust is its association with Coccidioidomycosis, commonly known as Valley fever, an infection caused by inhalation of soil-dwelling fungi unique to this region. Besides human health, dust affects environmental health through nutrients that increase phytoplankton biomass, contaminants that diminish water supply and affect food (crops/ fruits/vegetables and ready-to-eat meat), spread crop and marine pathogens, cause Valley fever among domestic and wild animals, transport heavy metals, radionuclides and microplastics, and reduce solar and wind power generation. Dust is also a safety hazard to road transportation and aviation, in the southwestern US where blowing dust is one of the deadliest weather hazards. To mitigate the harmful effects, coordinated regional and international efforts are needed to enhance dust observations and prediction capabilities, soil conservation measures, and Valley fever and other disease surveillance.Plain Language Summary Soil particles suspended in the air, commonly known as dust, impose substantial risks to many sectors of society, including human health, environmental health, transportation safety and the general economy. This work focuses on the dust effects in the Pan-American region, where the knowledge is rather fragmented, but impacts are costly.

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Regional Analysis of Coccidioidomycosis Incidence — California, 2000–2018

Cited by 32 publications

References 7 publications

Coccidioidomycosis: A Contemporary Review

Coccidioidomycosis: A Contemporary Review

Disseminated Coccidioidomycosis: Cutaneous, Soft Tissue, Osseous, and “Shotgun Intraparenchymal” Brain Disease

Health and Safety Effects of Airborne Soil Dust in the Americas and Beyond

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