Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026
09:20
Intradermal Inoculation of Mycobacterium avium in the Mouse Ear
Published on: July 3, 2025
Coccidioidomycosis acquired in Washington State
Nicola Marsden-Haug1, Marcia Goldoft, Cindy Ralston
1Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology, Washington State Department of Health, Shoreline, WA 98155, USA. nicola.marsden-haug@doh.wa.gov
Summary
Three individuals contracted coccidioidomycosis in Washington State, an area not previously known for this fungal infection. This finding highlights the need for broader awareness and diagnostic consideration of coccidioidomycosis.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Coccidioidomycosis, a fungal infection caused by Coccidioides species, is typically endemic to specific arid regions of the Americas.
- Geographic expansion of infectious diseases poses challenges to public health surveillance and clinical practice.
Observation:
- Three cases of acute coccidioidomycosis were identified in individuals with no recent travel history.
- Exposure to the causative agent occurred in Washington State, an area previously considered non-endemic.
Findings:
- Clinical, laboratory, and epidemiologic data strongly suggest autochthonous transmission of Coccidioides in Washington State.
- The diagnosis was delayed due to the atypical geographic location and lack of suspected exposure, impacting timely treatment.
Implications:
- Clinicians in non-endemic areas must consider coccidioidomycosis in the differential diagnosis of unexplained respiratory illness.
- This case series suggests a potential geographic expansion of Coccidioides, necessitating updated epidemiological surveillance and public health awareness.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Skin Diseases and Disorders
Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
01:27Cytomegalovirus Disease
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
01:28Fungal Phylum Microsporidia
Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
01:25Arboviral Encephalitis
Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...
01:29Fungal Group Zygomycota
Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...
01:28Fungal Phylum Ascomycota
Phylum Ascomycota, a major division within the subkingdom Dikarya, comprises a diverse range of fungal species, including both unicellular yeasts and filamentous molds such as Aspergillus and Penicillium. These fungi thrive in a variety of habitats, from aquatic ecosystems to terrestrial environments, playing crucial ecological and economic roles.Morphology and ReproductionThe defining characteristic of Ascomycetes, commonly referred to as sac fungi, is the ascus—a sac-like structure that...