Twelve years of coccidioidomycosis in Ceara State, Northeast Brazil: epidemiologic and diagnostic aspects

Author(s)

Cordeiro, Rossana de Aguiar ^{[1, 2]} ; Nogueira Brilhante, Raimunda Samia ^[1] ; Gadelha Rocha, Marcos Fabio ^{[3, 1]} ; Bandeira, Silviane Praciano ^{[1, 2]} ; Bezerra Fechine, Maria Auxiliadora ^[1] ; de Camargo, Zoilo Pires ^[4] ; Costa Sidrim, Jose Julio ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Ceara, Specialized Med Mycol Ctr, Fortaleza, Ceara - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estadual Ceara, Dept Biol Sci, Fortaleza, Ceara - Brazil

^[3] Univ Estadual Ceara, Postgrad Program Vet Sci, Fortaleza, Ceara - Brazil

^[4] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Microbiol Immunol & Parasitol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: DIAGNOSTIC MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE; v. 66, n. 1, p. 65-72, JAN 2010.
• Web of Science Citations: 21

Abstract

Coccidioidomycosis is an endemic infection in the Americas caused by the dimorphic fungi Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii. Although the disease occurs in Brazil in sporadic form, little information about these cases is available. In this study, we summarize the most important clinical, epidemiologic, and diagnostic features of coccidioidomycosis in Ceara State (Northeast Brazil) during the past 12 years. In this period, 19 cases of coccidioidomycosis were diagnosed. All the patients were young males and came from semiarid areas of the state. The majority of cases were associated to armadillo hunting, and pulmonary disease was the most common clinical presentation. In our laboratory, coccidioidomycosis was confirmed by culture, serology, and polymerase chain reaction tests, which together were very suitable for the diagnosis of this disease. Based on our local experience, we believe many cases of this disease are misdiagnosed or not diagnosed in our region. Therefore, some strategies for improvement of diagnosis should be encouraged by local authorities. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 04/14270-0 - Emergent fungal pathogens: epidemiology and diagnosis
• Grantee: Zoilo Pires de Camargo
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants