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Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection endemic in the desert regions of the southwestern United States, and Central and South America which is acquired by inhaling fungal particles from soil in these regions. The portal of entry for this infection is the lung. Up to one-half of affected individuals have mild to no symptoms. Immunosuppressed individuals (e.g., AIDS, cancer, transplantation recipients) are at higher risk of severe, widespread (disseminated) disease.

Skin lesions in coccidioidomycosis can occur in the early stages of the infection (primary lung infection) and are felt to be a reactive process to the body's inflammatory response and include a diffuse rash, erythema nodosum or erythema multiforme. These findings usually clear without treatment. On the other hand, after primary infection in the lungs, the fungus may spread to other tissues including the skin and lead to various skin lesions including papules, nodules, and ulcers. These lesions contain fungus within them and are a manifestation of disseminated (widespread) fungal disease.

Ency. home > Disease > S > Skin lesion of Coccidioidomycosis

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