coccidioidomycosis
Noun: A fungal disease caused by inhalation of spores of Coccidioides fungi, primarily affecting the lungs and sometimes spreading to other parts of the body like the skin, bones, and meninges. It is characterized by respiratory symptoms and can form lesions or nodules.
This is a specialized medical term. It is used in clinical, scientific, and public health contexts to describe a specific infectious disease. * The patient from the southwestern U.S. was diagnosed with coccidioidomycosis. * Coccidioidomycosis is also known as Valley fever.
- Primary pulmonary coccidioidomycosis often resolves on its own.
- Disseminated coccidioidomycosis, where the infection spreads beyond the lungs, requires aggressive antifungal treatment.
- Researchers are studying the epidemiology of coccidioidomycosis in arid regions.
- Valley Fever: This is the common name for coccidioidomycosis, especially in the San Joaquin Valley of California where it is endemic.
- Coccidioidal meningitis: A severe and often fatal complication of disseminated coccidioidomycosis where the infection spreads to the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
- Coccidioidomycotic (adjective): Pertaining to or caused by coccidioidomycosis.
- The biopsy confirmed coccidioidomycotic granulomas.
- Coccidioides (noun): The genus of dimorphic fungi that causes the disease.
- Coccidioidal (adjective): Relating to the fungus or the disease it causes.
- Valley fever
- San Joaquin Valley fever
- Desert rheumatism (an older, less common term)
The reference definition describes "excessive sputum and nodules." While these can be symptoms, the medical understanding is broader: 1. Primary Infection: Often asymptomatic or flu-like (fever, cough, chest pain, fatigue). Not all cases involve excessive sputum. 2. Disseminated Disease: Occurs when the infection spreads, potentially causing skin ulcers, bone lesions, or meningitis. Nodules (granulomas) can form in various tissues.
- an infection of the lungs and skin characterized by excessive sputum and nodules