2
Key Points
Î Coccidioidomycosis, also known as San Joaquin Valley fever, is a
systemic fungal infection endemic to parts of the southwestern United
States and elsewhere in the Western Hemisphere. Small pockets (i.e.
southeast Washington state) may exist throughout the west.
Î Residence in and recent travel to these areas are critical elements for
the accurate recognition of patients who develop this infection.
Î The most common syndrome to come to medical attention is a
community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), often associated with a variety
of rheumatologic, cutaneous, or systemic complaints.
Î Differences in disease severity are thought to be predominantly the
consequence of differences in the immunologic responses to infection
among individuals.
Figure 1. Estimated Numbers of Annual Infections in the
United States and their Clinical Manifestations
