Seroincidence of Coccidioidomycosis during military desert training exercises.
Coccidioidomycosis is a common fungal infection acquired in the southwestern United States. This is the first study in over 2 decades to determine the seroincidence of Coccidioides immitis infections among U.S. military members performing training exercises in an area of endemicity. Only 8% of participants were aware of coccidioidomycosis, despite the majority having visited or lived previously in an area of endemicity. One (0.6%) of the 178 participants developed "definite" serologic evidence of infection over a 5-week training period; four (2.3%) additional patients developed "possible" coccidioidomycosis infections. None had complicated disease. The calculated annual incidence ranged from 6 to 32%. This study suggests that the risk of serious coccidioidomycosis is low among military personnel during desert training exercises; however, disease incidence may vary depending on specific activities and geographic factors. Due to the potential morbidity and mortality of this infection, preventative strategies, including vaccine development, are advocated.
Crum
Nancy F
NF
Infectious Disease Division, Clinical Investigation Department, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, California 92134-1005, USA. nfcrum@nmcsd.med.navy.mil
Potter
Mark
M
Pappagianis
Demosthenes
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal / Q000097:blood*; D003045:Coccidioides / Q000276:immunology*; D003047:Coccidioidomycosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D003889:Desert Climate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel
D000908:Antibodies, Fungal