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Journal of Clinical Microbiology, October 2004, p. 4552-4555, Vol. 42, No. 10
0095-1137/04/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/JCM.42.10.4552-4555.2004
Copyright © 2004, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Seroincidence of Coccidioidomycosis during Military Desert Training Exercises

Nancy F. Crum,1* Mark Potter,2 and Demosthenes Pappagianis3

Infectious Disease Division, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego,1 Internal Medicine Department, Fort Irwin U.S. Army Training Center, Fort Irwin,2 Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, California3

Received 5 September 2003/ Returned for modification 15 December 2003/ Accepted 17 July 2004

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.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Clinical Investigation Department, Naval Medical Center San Diego, 34800 Bob Wilson Dr., Ste. 5, San Diego, CA 92134-1005. Phone: (619) 532-8134, ext. 40. Fax: (619) 532-8137. E-mail: nfcrum{at}nmcsd.med.navy.mil.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, October 2004, p. 4552-4555, Vol. 42, No. 10
0095-1137/04/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/JCM.42.10.4552-4555.2004
Copyright © 2004, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.



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