Disseminated coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection that spreads through the bloodstream and involves many organs.
Coccidioidomycosis is caused by breathing in spores from the fungi Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadasii. These fungi are found in the soil in certain parts of the southwestern U.S., Mexico, and Central and South America.
The following increase your risk of disseminated coccidioidomycosis:
Most acute infections cause no symptoms. Other times, the symptoms range from mild to severe.
Symptoms include:
Other symptoms that may occur with this disease:
Tests that may be done include:
A biopsy of tissue may be done to determine the area of disseminated disease:
A brain and nervous system (neurological) examination may show abnormalities.
Bed rest and improved nutrition are recommended. Antifungal drugs are prescribed to treat the infection.
People with disseminated disease have a high death rate. Death may be rapid for patients with a suppressed immune system.
In the disseminated form of the disease, the infection may spread to the bones, lungs, liver, brain, skin, heart, and sac around the heart (pericardium). Meningitis is the most serious type of disseminated disease.
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of disseminated coccidioidomycosis.
Maintaining good health will limit the disease to a harmless lung illness. Preventing AIDS or other causes of an impaired immune system will generally prevent the more severe forms of the disease.
Coccidioidomycosis - systemic