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Coccidioidomycosis (, ), commonly known as cocci,〔 "valley fever",〔 as well as "California fever",〔 "desert rheumatism",〔 and "San Joaquin Valley fever", is a mammalian fungal disease caused by ''Coccidioides immitis'' or ''Coccidioides posadasii''. It is endemic in certain parts of Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, and northern Mexico. ''C. immitis'' is a dimorphic saprophytic fungus that grows as a mycelium in the soil and produces a spherule form in the host organism. It resides in the soil in certain parts of the southwestern United States, most notably in California and Arizona.〔 It is also commonly found in northern Mexico, and parts of Central and South America.〔 ''C. immitis'' is dormant during long dry spells, then develops as a mold with long filaments that break off into airborne spores when it rains. The spores, known as arthroconidia, are swept into the air by disruption of the soil, such as during construction, farming, or an earthquake. Coccidioidomycosis is a common cause of community acquired pneumonia in the endemic areas of the United States. Infections usually occur due to inhalation of the arthroconidial spores after soil disruption.〔 The disease is not contagious.〔 In some cases the infection may recur or be permanent. ==Signs and symptoms== An estimated 60% of people infected with the fungi responsible for coccidioidomycosis have minimal to no symptoms, while 40% will have a range of possible clinical symptoms.〔 Of those who do develop symptoms, the primary infection is most often respiratory, with symptoms resembling bronchitis or pneumonia that resolve over a matter of a few weeks. In endemic regions, coccidioidomycosis is responsible for 20% of case of community acquired pneumonia.〔 Notable coccidioidomycosis signs and symptoms include a profound feeling of tiredness, fever, cough, headaches, rash, muscle pain, and joint pain.〔 Fatigue can persist for many months after initial infection.〔 The classic triad of coccidioidomycosis known as "desert rheumatism" includes the combination of fever, joint pains, and erythema nodosum.〔 3% to 5% of infected individuals do not recover from the initial acute infection and develop a chronic infection. This can take the form of chronic lung infection or widespread disseminated infection (affecting the tissues lining the brain, soft tissues, joints, and bone). Chronic infection is responsible for most of the morbidity and mortality. Chronic fibrocavitary disease is manifested by cough, sputum, fevers, night sweats and weight loss.〔 Vertebral disease can cause osteomyelitis and meningitis which may occur months to years after initial infection. Severe lung disease may develop in HIV-infected persons. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Coccidioidomycosis」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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