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Coccidioidomycosis: Current status of the endemic in Venezuela

Abstract:

Coccidioidomycosis is a systemic fungal infection endemic in the Americas,caused by a dimorphic fungus. Inhalation of arthroconidia transported by wind colonizelung tissue causing mycosis. Diagnosis is made through epidemiological and mycologicalstudy, complemented by histopathological, molecular and immune response. In Venezuelait has been reported since 1948 when Dr. Humberto Campins described the first case inBarquisimeto, Lara state. The fungal diseases in Venezuela are not mandatory notification,so that t6here is a serious underreporting in the annual statistics of the country; however,the working groups in Mycology manage to keep the data of the cases. The informationprovided by bioclimatic and environmental variables in endemic areas can contribute tothe pursuit of ecological niches of the fungus in order to strengthen eco-epidemiologicalsurveillance of clinical cases and research subclinical cases, strengthening the preventivehealth system and appropriate medical management of mycosis.