Coccidioidomycosis is caused by Coccidioides species, a fungus endemic to the desert regions of the southwestern United States, and is of particular concern for African Americans. We performed a PubMed search of the English-language medical literature on coccidioidomycosis in African Americans and summarized the pertinent literature. Search terms were coccidioidomycosis, Coccidioides, race, ethnicity, African, black, and Negro. The proceedings of the national and international coccidioidomycosis symposia were searched. All relevant articles and their cited references were reviewed; those with epidemiological, immunologic, clinical, and therapeutic data pertaining to coccidioidomycosis in African Americans were included in the review. Numerous studies documented an increased predilection for severe coccidioidal infections, coccidioidomycosis-related hospitalizations, and extrapulmonary dissemination in persons of African descent; however, most of the published studies are variably problematic. The immunologic mechanism for this predilection is unclear. The clinical features and treatment recommendations are summarized. Medical practitioners need to be alert to the possibility of coccidioidomycosis in persons with recent travel to or residence in an area where the disease is endemic.

Breast cancer screening is well received among patients, and a majority of surveyed women were unaware of recent guideline changes. After reviewing the guidelines, there was a significant downward shift in intended screening frequency, although the majority still planned to undergo annual screening. Informing women about updated evidence-based guidelines may influence their knowledge, preferences, and opinions.

Pulmonary coccidioidomycosis is caused by inhaling airborne arthroconidia of Coccidioides, a soil-dwelling fungus endemic to the desert southwestern United States. Although uncommon, disseminated coccidioidal infection can be associated with well-defined risk factors, such as cell-mediated immunodeficiency, certain racial heritages (e.g. African or Filipino), male sex, or pregnancy. Before widespread use of computed tomography (CT), the presence or persistence of mediastinal lymphadenopathy was postulated to be a risk factor for disseminated coccidioidal infection. To investigate the use of CT scanning to identify the presence of mediastinal lymphadenopathy in patients with pulmonary coccidioidomycosis, and to correlate such lymphadenopathy with disseminated coccidioidal infection, we performed a retrospective review of patients with pulmonary coccidioidomycosis who were evaluated by chest CT. Two radiologists independently interpreted 150 CT scans from patients with pulmonary coccidioidomycosis. Forty-nine patients met CT criteria for mediastinal lymphadenopathy, whereas 101 patients did not. Disseminated coccidioidal infection was observed in 5 (10%) of the 49 patients with mediastinal lymphadenopathy and in 6 of the 101 (6%; P = .34) without such adenopathy. Among patients with coccidioidomycosis, patients with mediastinal lymphadenopathy, as assessed by CT, had a higher rate of disseminated infection, but the difference was not statistically significant.

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Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare disease of unknown cause that traditionally affects young women of reproductive age. It is characterized by a proliferation of atypical smooth muscle cells, preferentially along the bronchovascular structures, that causes progressive respiratory failure. LAM is almost universally fatal without a lung transplant, although new clinical trials are ongoing. Because of its rareness and nonspecific presenting symptoms, patients often receive a missed or delayed diagnosis. We present the case of a 51-year-old postmenopausal woman who had hemoptysis ultimately determined to be due to LAM. As is common for patients with LAM, the initial chest radiograph was unremarkable, whereas subsequent computed tomography (CT) demonstrated the distinctive pulmonary parenchymal cysts. Biopsy of an HMB-45-positive, para-aortic lymphangiomyoma provided further confirmation of the diagnosis. LAM may be more common than previously recognized, and it is imperative for primary care providers to be able to recognize this disease so they can make prompt referrals to appropriate specialty centers.