Forrester Joseph D, Guo Haiwei Henry, Weiser Thomas G
1 Department of Surgery, Stanford University , Stanford, California.
2 Department of Radiology, Stanford University , Stanford, California.
Surg Infect (Larchmt). 2016 Dec;17(6):645-655. doi: 10.1089/sur.2016.148. Epub 2016 Oct 14.
Coccidioidomycosis, commonly called "valley fever," "San Joaquin fever," "desert fever," or "desert rheumatism," is a multi-system illness caused by infection with Coccidioides fungi (C. immitis or C. posadasii). This organism is endemic to the desert Southwest regions of the United States and Mexico and to parts of South America. The manifestations of infection occur along a spectrum from asymptomatic to mild self-limited fever to severe disseminated disease.
Review of the English-language literature.
There are five broad indications for surgical intervention in patients with coccidioidomycosis: Tissue diagnosis in patients at risk for co-existing pathology, perforation, bleeding, impingement on critical organs, and failure to resolve with medical management. As part of a multidisciplinary team, surgeons may be responsible for the care of infected patients, particularly those with severe disease.
This review discusses the history, microbiology, epidemiology, pathology, diagnosis, and treatment of coccidioidomycosis, focusing on situations that may be encountered by surgeons.
