Week Two: Valley Fever

Common Name: Valley Fever

Scientific Name: Coccidioides immitis

Not-So-Fun Fact: When inhaled, the fungus Coccidioides causes a severe lung infection called Coccidioidomycosis, or Valley Fever.

Domain: Eukaryota

Kingdom: Fungus

Phylum: Ascomycota

Class: Euascomycetes

Order: Onygenales

Family: Onygenaceae

Genus: Coccidioides

Species: C. immitis

Description: Coccidioides is a long, chainlike fungus resembling a jewelry chain studded with square-shaped beads. The symptoms of the disease it causes resemble influenza, and often are confined to the lungs. If it forms spores, however, it can be spread by the victim’s own bloodstream to other parts of the body, including the brain and nervous system. Because it is “dimorphic”, it can change shape to evade the body’s immune system. Other symptoms of Valley Fever include fatigue, rash, headache, muscle ache, cough, and fever.

Environment: This fungus normally rests in the soils of Central America, South America, the southwestern United States, and Washington State. It is spread by inhalation of fungal spores. About 40% of those people who inhale the spores do not suffer the symptoms of Valley Fever. Residents of areas in which the fungus also resides should avoid a large amount of soil inhalation.

Reproduction & Development: Coccidioides reproduces by forming spores and spreading through the air or through the bloodstream. The fungus can reproduce sexually or asexually, though very little is known about the sexual reproduction of this species. Please regard the “Description” for the development of Coccidioides.

Nutrition: Coccidioides is a parasite that feeds off the human body, but also lies in the soil. It cannot survive on the surface of the soil in extremely hot, dry, or wet conditions and prefers a mild climate. Its preferred soil is full of carbonized organic material and various types of salt.