"Coccidioidomycosis refers to an infection caused by the dimorphic fungus Coccidioides spp., usually localised to the lungs. This disease is not to be confused with the similarly named paracoccidioidomycosis."
"The most common species of Coccidioides are Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii 1. These species are endemic to many desert regions of North, Central and South America, especially in the American state of Arizona 1. The disease can occur in hosts with a well-functioning immune system, especially with repeated exposure, but the risk is increased if one is immunocompromised."
"Disseminated coccidioidomycosis usually manifests in patients who are immunocompromised 3. In a study of patients with concurrent HIV, the most common features were diffuse bilateral pulmonary pneumonia (similar to PCP pneumonia), widespread lymphadenopathy, skin involvement, and CNS coccidioidomycosis which mainly presents as severe meningitis 3. Bone and joint involvement also often occurs in disseminated coccidioidomycosis, although are notably less common in patient with HIV compared to those immunocompromised from other means 3. It should be noted that disseminated or extrapulmonary coccidioidomycosis is an AIDS defining illness."
Expected headings
"Lungs"
"Bones and joints"
"Central nervous system"
"The most common species of Coccidioides are Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii 1. These species are endemic to many desert regions of North, Central and South America, especially in the American state of Arizona 1. The disease can occur in hosts with a well-functioning immune system, especially with repeated exposure, but the risk is increased if one is immunocompromised."
"The primary CNS manifestation is coccidioidal meningitis, which has a variety of features including hydrocephalus, cerebral infarction, vasculitis and associated subarachnoid haemorrhage, and abscesses 4,6. MRI is the most sensitive sequence for detecting leptomeningeal enhancement (on post-contrast gadolinium images) that is classic of this disease process 4,6. See CNS coccidioidomycosis for a more comprehensive description."