Coccidioides immitis

Epidemiology

• in the US, Coccidioides immitis is concentrated in the southwest, especially in the San Joaquin valley of California
• distribution extends into the Sonoran desert region of northern Mexico
• Coccidiodes immitis is also endemic to regions of Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina & a small section of northern Venezuela
• epidemic infections may occur

Pathology

• disease is acquired via arthroconidia of the mold phase which disperse into the air
• the majority of primary infections resolve spontaneously without specific treatment

Laboratory

• Coccidioides immitis serology
• Coccidioides immitis antigen in tissue/body fluid
• Coccidioides immitis DNA
• Coccidioides immitis rRNA

More general terms

• Coccidioides

Additional terms

• coccidioidomycosis