Coccidioides

Question 1

cough, fever, arthralgia and erythema nodosum after travel in south west US is seen with

Answer 1

coccidioidomycosis

Question 2

immunocompetent hosts who have Coccidioides imitis may have

Answer 2

asymptomatic

mild febrile respiratory syndrome (valley fever)

Question 3

presentation of immunocompromised pts with Coccidioides infection:

Answer 3

• acute pneumonia (most common)
• chronic progressive penumonia
• nodular or cavitary lung dx and extra pulmonary lung dx like meningitis

Question 4

people who are are at increased risk for coccidiodes infections:

Answer 4

people on TNF alpha inhibitors (infliximab)

immuncompromise

Question 5

diagnosis of coccidioides

Answer 5

travel history and clinical findings

confirmed with microscopy or serology

Question 6

treatment of valley fever

Answer 6

-fluconazole or itraconazole if not improving or severe infection

most improve without therapy