Coccidioidomycosis as a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia

Emerg Infect Dis. 2006 Jun;12(6):958-62. doi: 10.3201/eid1206.060028.

Abstract

The early manifestations of coccidioidomycosis (valley fever) are similar to those of other causes of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Without specific etiologic testing, the true frequency of valley fever may be underestimated by public health statistics. Therefore, we conducted a prospective observational study of adults with recent onset of a lower respiratory tract syndrome. Valley fever was serologically confirmed in 16 (29%) of 55 persons (95% confidence interval 16%-44%). Antimicrobial medications were used in 81% of persons with valley fever. Symptomatic differences at the time of enrollment had insufficient predictive value for valley fever to guide clinicians without specific laboratory tests. Thus, valley fever is a common cause of CAP after exposure in a disease-endemic region. If CAP develops in persons who travel or reside in Coccidioides-endemic regions, diagnostic evaluation should routinely include laboratory evaluation for this organism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Fungal / blood
  • Arizona / epidemiology
  • Coccidioides / isolation & purification*
  • Coccidioidomycosis / drug therapy
  • Coccidioidomycosis / epidemiology*
  • Coccidioidomycosis / microbiology
  • Community-Acquired Infections / drug therapy
  • Community-Acquired Infections / epidemiology*
  • Community-Acquired Infections / microbiology*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunodiffusion
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pneumonia / drug therapy
  • Pneumonia / epidemiology*
  • Pneumonia / microbiology*
  • Prospective Studies

Substances

  • Antibodies, Fungal