Jad. Leake et al., Risk factors for acute symptomatic coccidioidomycosis among elderly persons in Arizona, 1996-1997, J INFEC DIS, 181(4), 2000, pp. 1435-1440
Because of the increase in incidence of coccidioidomycosis among the elderl
y in Arizona between 1990 and 1996, a case-control study was conducted to l
ook at risk factors for disease among these persons. Cases (n = 89) were pe
rsons aged greater than or equal to 60 years with laboratory-confirmed cocc
idioidomycosis; 2 control groups were selected, the first by use of random-
digit dialing (geographic controls, n = 91) and the second by use of lists
of persons with negative serologic coccidioidomycosis tests (laboratory-neg
ative controls, n = 58). Elderly persons with coccidioidomycosis had spent
significantly less time in Arizona than did persons in either control group
and were more likely than geographic controls to have congestive heart fai
lure or cancer, to have smoked, or to have taken corticosteroids. Elderly p
ersons who recently have moved to Arizona or who have chronic illnesses and
their physicians need to be aware of their higher risk for coccidioidomyco
sis in order to improve their chances of early diagnosis and treatment. The
se persons may benefit from vaccination, once an effective vaccine for cocc
idioidomycosis is developed.