Coccidioidomycosis—Arizona, 1990-1995

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Coccidioidomycosis is a systemic infection caused by the inhalation of airborne arthroconidia from Coccidioides immitis, a soil-dwelling fungus found in the southwestern United States, parts of Mexico, and Central and South America.1 Clinical manifestations occur in approximately 40% of infected persons and may include mild influenza-like illness; severe pneumonia; and rarely, disseminated disease and death.2 During 1990-1995, the number of reported cases of coccidioidomycosis in Arizona increased by 144%. To characterize trends in and the impact of coccidioidomycosis in Arizona, the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) analyzed surveillance, death-certificate, and hospital discharge data. This report summarizes the findings, which indicate that, during 1990-1995, coccidioidomycosis in Arizona disproportionately affected persons aged greater than or equal to 65 years and persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Surveillance. Surveillance data were compiled from the ADHS' General Communicable Disease Reporting System. In 1994, ADHS adopted the surveillance case definition for