MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

New epidemiological routes of Coccidioidomycosis in Mexico – the extension of this pathogen to new areas

Summary

Coccidioidomycosis, a fungal lung disease traditionally found in desert regions of Mexico and the southwestern United States, is spreading to new areas where it was never seen before. Researchers tracked 122 cases between 1991 and 2023 and found that nearly half of the patients had no history of travel to known high-risk areas, suggesting the disease is becoming established in new locations. Climate change and drought conditions are likely helping the fungus expand its range, making it important for doctors everywhere to consider this disease when diagnosing respiratory infections.

Background

Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal disease typically found in northern Mexico near California or Arizona due to specific growing conditions. However, due to climate change, cases have been increasing in non-endemic areas where the disease was previously unknown.

Objective

To describe new geographic areas where cases of Coccidioidomycosis have been reported that were previously not known to have this disease and to identify epidemiological routes and risk factors for infection.

Results

122 patients with coccidioidomycosis were diagnosed with common comorbidities including diabetes mellitus (41%) and overweight (24%). Diagnosis was made using culture (79.5%), serology (54%), and biopsy (51%), with CT scans showing predominant nodular (77%) and cavitary lesions (61%). Notably, 46.7% of patients had no risk factors such as travelling or living in endemic areas.

Conclusion

The study highlights areas not previously known to be at risk, with patients without travel history presenting with Coccidioidomycosis. An increasing number of fungal infections is anticipated due to climate change and increased drought in some areas, warranting consideration of Coccidioidomycosis in differential diagnosis outside endemic areas.
  • Published in:Open Forum Infectious Diseases,
  • Study Type:Observational Registry Study,
  • Source: 10.1093/ofid/ofae631.372
Scroll to Top