tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Emerg Infect Dis
. 2021 Mar 23;27(5).
doi: 10.3201/eid2705.204661. Online ahead of print.
Coccidioidomycosis and COVID-19 Co-Infection, United States, 2020
Alexandra K Heaney, Jennifer R Head, Kelly Broen, Karen Click, John Taylor, John R Balmes, Jon Zelner, Justin V Remais
Abstract
We review the interaction between coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and coccidioidomycosis, a respiratory infection caused by inhalation of Coccidioides fungal spores in dust. We examine risk for co-infection among construction and agricultural workers, incarcerated persons, Black and Latino populations, and persons living in high dust areas. We further identify common risk factors for co-infection, including older age, diabetes, immunosuppression, racial or ethnic minority status, and smoking. Because these diseases cause similar symptoms, the COVID-19 pandemic might exacerbate delays in coccidioidomycosis diagnosis, potentially interfering with prompt administration of antifungal therapies. Finally, we examine the clinical implications of co-infection, including severe COVID-19 and reactivation of latent coccidioidomycosis. Physicians should consider coccidioidomycosis as a possible diagnosis when treating patients with respiratory symptoms. Preventive measures such as wearing face masks might mitigate exposure to dust and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, thereby protecting against both infections.
Keywords: Arizona; COVID-19; California; Coccidioides; SARS-CoV-2; United States; co-infections; coccidioidomycosis; coronavirus disease; coronaviruses; diagnosis; fungi; respiratory infections; risk factors; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; viruses; zoonoses.
. 2021 Mar 23;27(5).
doi: 10.3201/eid2705.204661. Online ahead of print.
Coccidioidomycosis and COVID-19 Co-Infection, United States, 2020
Alexandra K Heaney, Jennifer R Head, Kelly Broen, Karen Click, John Taylor, John R Balmes, Jon Zelner, Justin V Remais
- PMID: 33755007
- DOI: 10.3201/eid2705.204661
Abstract
We review the interaction between coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and coccidioidomycosis, a respiratory infection caused by inhalation of Coccidioides fungal spores in dust. We examine risk for co-infection among construction and agricultural workers, incarcerated persons, Black and Latino populations, and persons living in high dust areas. We further identify common risk factors for co-infection, including older age, diabetes, immunosuppression, racial or ethnic minority status, and smoking. Because these diseases cause similar symptoms, the COVID-19 pandemic might exacerbate delays in coccidioidomycosis diagnosis, potentially interfering with prompt administration of antifungal therapies. Finally, we examine the clinical implications of co-infection, including severe COVID-19 and reactivation of latent coccidioidomycosis. Physicians should consider coccidioidomycosis as a possible diagnosis when treating patients with respiratory symptoms. Preventive measures such as wearing face masks might mitigate exposure to dust and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, thereby protecting against both infections.
Keywords: Arizona; COVID-19; California; Coccidioides; SARS-CoV-2; United States; co-infections; coccidioidomycosis; coronavirus disease; coronaviruses; diagnosis; fungi; respiratory infections; risk factors; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; viruses; zoonoses.