Acute pulmonary coccidioidomycosis

Definition

Forty per cent of coccidioidal infections result in symptomatic pulmonary disease that may be indistinguishable from a bacterial community-acquired pneumonia. Radiographically these are usually focal alveolar infiltrates. Infection may be associated with the development of a rash, particularly erythema nodosum and erythema multiforme. Occasionally, there may be symmetric arthralgias or arthritis. Peripheral blood eosinophilia is not uncommon. Acute primary pulmonary coccidioidomycosis, particularly when associated with erythema nodosum and/or erythema multiforme, is frequently called "Valley fever." When associated with arthralgias or arthritis, it has been termed "desert rheumatism."

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