Development of a novel patient-reported outcome measure for disseminated coccidioidomycosis (valley fever).

Background: Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) is a dimorphic fungal infection endemic to the southwest United States, Mexico, Central and South America, which can lead to chronic debilitating illness and death.

Objectives: This qualitative study was conducted to develop a bespoke patient-reported outcome measure for patients with chronic disseminated coccidioidomycosis to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) impacts.

Patients And Methods: Online, first-person narratives of patient experiences of disseminated coccidioidomycosis were used to create a patient-centred conceptual model of symptoms and impacts of the condition.

How I Do It: Managing Cavitary Coccidioidomycosis Expert Opinions for Improving Patient Outcomes.

Coccidioidomycosis (CM), caused by the dimorphic fungi Coccidioides immitis (C. immitis) and C. posadasii, is recognized as an increasing threat both nationally and worldwide.

Burden of Hospitalization for Coccidioidal Meningitis: An Analysis of the National Inpatient Sample, 2019-2021.

Coccidioidal meningitis (CM) requires lifelong aggressive management, often necessitating hospitalization. In the National Inpatient Sample (2019-2021), CM hospitalizations (N = 2305) were associated with frequent CM-related procedures (63.6% [95% confidence interval {CI}, 59.

Clinical utility of pharmacogenomic testing for patients with coccidioidal meningitis.

Coccidioidomycosis can cause severe meningitis, requiring lifelong treatment. In this study, we sought to better understand the potential effect of pharmacogenomic testing on treatment outcomes of patients with coccidioidal meningitis. Of 13 patients with coccidioidal meningitis who underwent pharmacogenomic testing, 11 had genetic variants of CYP2C19 and CYP3A5 that affect antifungal efficacy.

Musculoskeletal manifestations of lower-extremity coccidioidomycosis: a case series.

: Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection endemic to the southwestern United States. Musculoskeletal manifestations are uncommon and seen in disseminated disease. While the involvement of the axial skeleton has been well described, the literature is limited on diseases involving the lower extremity.

Disseminated histoplasmosis from western Mexico-rethinking our geographic distribution of endemic fungal species: a case report and review of literature.

Background: Histoplasma is a fungal pathogen found in many parts of the world. In North America, its distribution is traditionally thought to be endemic to the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys. Development of histoplasmosis after Histoplasma exposure is related to degree of inoculum exposure and susceptibility, for example, immunocompromised status.

Prolonged dry seasons lengthen coccidioidomycosis transmission seasons: implications for a changing California.

Coccidioidomycosis, a fungal disease caused by soil-borne spp., exhibits pronounced seasonal transmission, with incidence in California typically peaking in the fall. However, the influence of climate on the timing and duration of transmission seasons remains poorly understood.

A Single-center Experience of Coccidioides Meningitis in Immunocompetent Patients: Case Series and Literature Review.

Recently, the California Department of Public Health issued an advisory related to the substantial rise in Coccidioidomycosis in California, which has been attributed in part to climate change and rapid housing development. Most cases are self-limiting, but some may spread to the meninges, resulting in coccidioidal meningitis (CM). Many providers mistakenly presume that CM is limited to patients who are immunocompromised.

Developing a Coccidioides posadasii and SARS-CoV-2 Co-infection Model in the K18-hACE2 Transgenic Mouse.

Background: Early reports showed that patients with COVID-19 had recrudescence of previously resolved coccidioidomycosis (Valley fever, VF), and there were indications that coinfection had more severe outcomes. We therefore investigated serial infection of Coccidioides posadasii and SARS-CoV-2 in a K18-hACE2 mouse model to assess disease outcomes.

Methods: In our model, we challenged K18-hACE2 mice sequentially with a sub-lethal dose of SARS-CoV-2 and 24 hours later with low virulence strain of Coccidioides posadasii, and vice versa, compared to mice that only received a single infection challenge.

Miliary coccidioidomycosis mimicking tuberculosis: Case report and review of literature.

Miliary coccidioidomycosis is a severe manifestation of diseases caused by and that is endemic to the southwestern United States as well as Central and South America. While most cases of coccidioidomycosis present with pulmonary disease, certain risk factors increase the risk for disseminated disease. We present a case of miliary coccidioidomycosis in a 46-year-old patient with uncontrolled diabetes.

Coccidiomycosis septic arthritis presenting as ankle monoarthritis in a patient with presumed psoriatic arthritis.

A man in his 50s with a history of psoriasis was evaluated for acute on chronic left ankle pain. His symptoms were attributed to psoriatic arthritis, and he tried several immunosuppressive regimens without improvement. Further diagnostic workup confirmed septic monarthritis thought secondary to a known remote history of Valley fever while residing in Arizona and subsequent reactivation in the setting of immunosuppression.

Incidence and risk factors for invasive fungal infections in patients initiating TNF-alpha inhibitors for inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

In a commercial claims database analysis, <0.5% of patients with inflammatory bowel disease or rheumatoid arthritis developed an IFI within one year of initiating TNF-alpha therapy. Histoplasmosis was the most common IFI type.

Clinical Characteristics and Mortality Risks Among Patients With Culture-Proven Coccidioidomycosis Who Are Critically Ill: A Multicenter Study in an Endemic Region.

Background: Coccidioidomycosis is an endemic mycosis in the southwestern United States. While most infections are mild, severe cases can be devastating. We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and mortality risks of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) with culture-proven coccidioidomycosis.

small molecule screening to inform novel candidates for use in fluconazole combination therapy against .

Unlabelled: Identifying improved treatments for severe and refractory coccidioidomycosis (Valley fever) is needed. This endemic fungal disease is common in North and South America, and cases have increased substantially over the last 30 years. The current standard of care, oral daily fluconazole, often fails to completely eradicate infection; however, the high cost of identifying new compounds effective in treating Valley fever is a barrier to improving treatment.

Voriconazole-Induced Periostitis: A Mimicker of Skeletal Coccidioidomycosis.

BACKGROUND Coccidioidomycosis is caused by the fungi Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii, which are endemic to the southwestern United States and other countries of the Western Hemisphere. Pulmonary coccidioidomycosis is the most common form of coccidioidomycosis. Rarely, coccidioidal infection disseminates to meninges, bones, skin, and soft tissues.

Coccidioidomycosis in Immunocompromised at a Non-Endemic Referral Center in Mexico.

The incidence and distribution of coccidioidomycosis are increasing. Information scarcity is evident in Mexico, particularly in non-endemic zones and specific populations. We compared the treatment and outcomes for patients with isolated pulmonary infections and those with disseminated coccidioidomycosis, including mortality rates within six weeks of diagnosis.