title: Coccidioidomycosis: Surgical Issues and Implications.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review of the English-language literature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This review discusses the history, microbiology, epidemiology, pathology, diagnosis, and treatment of coccidioidomycosis, focusing on situations that may be encountered by surgeons.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Surgery, Stanford University , Stanford, California.
authors.forename: Joseph D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Forrester
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Radiology, Stanford University , Stanford, California.
authors.forename: Haiwei Henry
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Surgery, Stanford University , Stanford, California.
authors.forename: Thomas G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Weiser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003047:Coccidioidomycosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents