Impacts of Climate Change on Coccidioidomycosis

Presentation Description / Summary: 
Climate change will increase the number of extreme rainstorms and periods of drought in parts of the southwestern United States. This may allow for increased growth of Coccidioides during wet seasons and increased dispersion of arthroconidia (spores) during dry periods. Rising temperatures in the southwestern United States may contribute to expansion of the endemic regions for coccidioidomycosis north to previously nonendemic regions. In a United States model with a high greenhouse gas emission scenario, endemic regions were predicted to expand to include counties along the United States-Canada border by 2090. This expansion, along with predicted population increases and increased development in the southwestern United States, may result in 45.4 million additional people at risk of infection. Climate change, increased construction, and population increases also may increase the incidence of coccidioidomycosis in dogs, with associated economic and emotional burden to animal owners. Dogs represent valuable sentinels in determining the geographical dispersion and increased incidence of the disease as climate changes, and veterinary specialists in regions where the disease is emerging need to have a high index of suspicion for clinical signs and diagnostic tests for the disease.

Learner Outcomes: 1) Know the current and predicted spatial distribution of coccidioidomycosis in humans and dogs and seasonal factors associated with increased incidence; 2) know the life cycle of Coccidioides and factors required for replication; 3) know clinical signs and laboratory abnormalities that can occur in coccidioidomycosis; 4) know current approaches for diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis and how to interpret diagnostic tests based on serology