Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026
03:22
Microbiological Rapid On-Site Evaluation for Pulmonary Infectious Diseases
Published on: March 1, 2024
Coccidioidomycosis Testing Among Patients Hospitalized With Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Saima N Tisekar1, Yehia S Aboalmaaty1, Gretchen E Taylor1
1Research Trainee in the Division of Infectious Diseases (Tisekar and Aboalmaaty, Limited Tenure), Division of Hospital Internal Medicine (Taylor), and Division of Infectious Diseases (Blair), Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
Open Forum Infectious Diseases
|August 13, 2026
Summary
Coccidioides infection testing was common in Arizona pneumonia patients, with nearly 10% testing positive. Testing was more likely for those with specific symptoms, while positive results were associated with other distinct symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
- Mycology
Background:
- Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality.
- Coccidioides infection, endemic to the southwestern United States, can present with pneumonia-like symptoms.
- Timely diagnosis of Coccidioides infection is crucial for appropriate treatment and preventing complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the rate of Coccidioides infection testing among inpatients with CAP in Arizona.
- To identify clinical factors associated with undergoing Coccidioides testing.
- To identify clinical factors associated with positive Coccidioides test results.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 1141 inpatients diagnosed with CAP in Arizona.
- Analysis of patient demographics, clinical presentation, and laboratory results.
- Statistical analysis to identify predictors of testing and positive results.
Main Results:
- Of 1141 CAP patients, 865 (75.8%) were tested for Coccidioides infection.
- 85 patients (9.8%) had positive Coccidioides test results.
- Testing was more frequent in patients with concerning radiographs, fever, dyspnea, or fatigue.
- Positive results were more common in patients reporting night sweats, rash, headache, or eosinophilia.
Conclusions:
- Coccidioides infection testing is frequently performed in Arizona inpatients with CAP.
- Specific clinical features can guide the decision to test for Coccidioides.
- Certain symptoms and laboratory findings may indicate a higher likelihood of Coccidioides infection.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
Pneumonia poses the potential for numerous complications that warrant consideration. These complications include the following:
01:26Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV
Tuberculosis, more commonly referred to as TB, is an infectious disease stemming from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While it primarily impacts the lungs, TB can also affect other body areas. Given its severity and global impact, timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial for controlling its spread and improving patient outcomes.
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
01:14Atypical Pneumonia
Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease include...
01:30Pneumonia I: Introduction
Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
01:29Pneumonia I: Introduction
Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that leads to inflammation of the lung parenchyma, often resulting in the accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the alveoli and airways. Unlike the watery, low-protein fluid exudate in pulmonary edema, the exudate in this case is a thick fluid rich in immune cells, proteins, and debris produced during infection and inflammation.This impairs gas exchange and can lead to consolidation of lung tissue. The infection may be caused by a...
01:27Cryptococcal Meningitis
Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...