• | organism – coccidioidis imitis |
• | endemic in Southwest U.S. (Texas, California, AKA San Joaquin Valley fever) |
• | second most frequently seen systemic mycosis in US (#1 = cryptococcus) |
• | 60% of cases = asymptomatic and self-limited respiratory tract infection; skin test (+) |
• | primary cutaneous inoculation – rare (usually lab workers) |
• | disseminate to skin – lesions include acneiform and molluscum-like papules |
• | tissue phase (37º) – spherule |
see Deep Fungus
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