title: Coccidioidomycosis: the other great imitator.
abstract: A "great imitator," like the perhaps more familiar syphilis and tuberculosis, coccidioidomycosis has a wide variety of clinical presentations. A recent dramatic surge in the incidence of this saprobe increases the likelihood that clinicians will encounter an infected patient. Although rare, the disseminated form of the disease is potentially fatal. Vigilance and familiarity with the many faces of this pathogen will permit early detection and treatment. We present two cases of disseminated coccidioidomycosis and briefly review this increasingly common fungal infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicines, Darnall Army Community Hospital, Fort Hood, Texas 76544, USA.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Cardone
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vinson
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Anderson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003047:Coccidioidomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007868:Leg Dermatoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D008172:Lung Diseases, Fungal / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D013848:Thigh