Woodring J H, Dillon M L
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Kenlucky Medical Center, Laxington, USA.
J Ky Med Assoc. 1996 Nov;94(11):490-7.
Coccidioidomycosis is a highly infectious disease caused by the dimorphic fungus, Coccidioides immitis that is endemic to the arid and semiarid regions of the southwestern United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America. The majority of infections from C immitis are asymptomatic; however, approximately 40% of infected individuals present with symptoms ranging from a mild flu-like respiratory infection to acute pneumonia that may lead to chronic progressive pulmonary infection or occasionally disseminated disease. Due to the mobility of the population, increasing numbers of cases are being recognized outside endemic areas. We report five patients with coccidioidomycosis diagnosed at the University of Kentucky Medical Center during the period from 1984 to 1993 in order to illustrate the clinical and radiographic spectrum of findings that may be encountered with the disease. In a patient with unexplained pulmonary symptoms, a history of recent travel to or immigration from an endemic area may be an early clue to the diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis.
球孢子菌病是一种由双相真菌球孢子菌引起的高度传染性疾病，该真菌在美国西南部、墨西哥、中美洲和南美洲的干旱和半干旱地区流行。大多数由球孢子菌感染的病例是无症状的；然而，大约40%的感染者会出现从轻度流感样呼吸道感染到急性肺炎等症状，这可能导致慢性进行性肺部感染或偶尔出现播散性疾病。由于人口的流动性，在流行地区以外发现的病例数量越来越多。我们报告了1984年至1993年期间在肯塔基大学医学中心诊断出的5例球孢子菌病患者，以说明该疾病可能出现的临床和影像学表现范围。对于有无法解释的肺部症状的患者，近期前往流行地区旅行或从流行地区移民的病史可能是球孢子菌病诊断的早期线索。
