[Coccidioidomycosis in Argentina, 1892-2009]

Rev Argent Microbiol. 2010 Oct-Dec;42(4):261-8. doi: 10.1590/S0325-75412010000400004.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Clinical cases of coccidioidomycosis are rare in Argentina and are generally found in the large arid precordilleran area of the country. This study aims to perform a retrospective review of all coccidioidomycosis cases documented in the country from 1892 to 2009, and to describe those occurring in the last 4 years. One hundred and twenty eight cases were documented in the 117 year-period. Since the original description of the disease in 1892 until 1939, only 6 cases were registered; between 1940 and 1999, 59 (6-14/10 yrs) and the remaining 63 (49% of total cases) occurred in the last decade. The median age of 34 patients registered in 2006-2009 was 31 years (range: 7-89), male/female ratio was 1.3:1 and 12 patients were immunocompromised. Twenty-six cases were confirmed by direct microscopy and/or culture whereas the remaining ones by serology. All isolates were identified as Coccidioides posadasii. Thirty patients lived in a vast geographic region with epicenter in Catamarca Valley. Between 2006 and 2009, annual disease incidence rates in Catamarca Province increased from historical values below 0.5/100,000 to 2/100,000 inhabitants. Such increase suggests an emergency of coccidioidomycosis in that region.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Child
  • Coccidioidomycosis / diagnosis
  • Coccidioidomycosis / epidemiology*
  • Coccidioidomycosis / parasitology
  • Diagnostic Errors
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Morbidity / trends
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Tuberculosis / diagnosis
  • Young Adult