Effect of Climate Change on the Incidence and Geographical Distribution of Coccidioidomycosis

Duarte-Escalante, Esperanza; Reyes-Montes, María del Roció; Frías-De-León, María Guadalupe; Meraz-Ríos, Beatriz

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-89664-5_8

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…In fact, the transport of inland dust to coastal California areas and the Channel Islands has been documented [ 43 , 44 , 45 ], including documented Valley fever infections in marine mammals [ 46 , 47 ]. The potential expansion of Coccidioides with climate change is being discussed in the scientific community, and it seems reasonable to believe that a change to drier and hotter climates in non-traditional areas of Coccidioides may lead to an increase in disease incidence among humans [ 48 , 49 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk of Exposure to Coccidioides spp. in the Temblor Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA), Kern County, CA

et al. 2023

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The Temblor Mountain Special Recreation Area (SRMA) on the western flank of the San Joaquin Valley, CA, is located in the endemic area of Coccidioides, a fungal pathogen responsible for the increasing incidence of coccidioidomycosis (Valley fever). Recreationists in the SRMA, such as off-highway vehicle (OHV) drivers and mountain bikers who disturb the soils, are at risk of being exposed to airborne arthroconidia (asexual spores) of the pathogen. To reduce the risk of pathogen exposure for visitors, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) plans to limit recreational activities to areas with a reduced pathogen presence. They envision an official OHV park in the future, by also restricting access to areas with ongoing restoration efforts and by limiting soil erosion in sensitive areas. To investigate which soils in the Temblor SRMA are most likely to support the growth of Coccidioides spp., soil samples were collected over a 3-year period from dominant soil types in a northern and a southern sampling area and analyzed for the pathogen using a culture-independent PCR-based method. In addition, soil pH and electrical conductivity were determined. The results of this study revealed slight genetic variance in the Coccidioides sequences obtained from the soils of the Temblor SRMA. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) could not confirm differences in soil pH and electrical conductivity (EC) between the different soil types investigated and between sites where the pathogen was detected compared to sites where it could not be found. However, the year of sampling appeared to have an influence on observed soil pH and EC, and the presence of the pathogen. Of all dominant soil types investigated, those belonging to the Littlesignal–Cochora association were the least likely to contain the pathogen, whereas soils of the Beam–Panoza–Hillbrick association appeared more supportive. In addition to pointing out OHV areas with lower pathogen exposure risk in the Temblor SRMA, recommendations were made to educate visitors and BLM workers about the risk of contracting Valley fever.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk of Exposure to Coccidioides spp. in the Temblor Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA), Kern County, CA

et al. 2023

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“…Heat and climate change also can result in droughts and changing of ecosystem boundaries. Some prediction affirms that the increased frequency of drought and dust-storm conditions in the American Southwest could dramatically extend the geographical distribution of Coccidioides, increasing the risk of millions of people suffering coccidioidomycosis in the coming decades 57 , 63 . Similarly, changing weather patterns can modify the geographical ranges of animal reservoirs and vectors carrying microorganisms and viruses that can cause diseases 55 , 56 , potentially leading to new epidemics or pandemics.…”

Section: Alterations To Fungal Ecosystemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disaster mycology

Smith,

Casadevall

2023

biomedica

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Natural and human-made disasters have long played a role in shaping the environment and microbial communities, also affecting non-microbial life on Earth. Disaster microbiology is a new concept based on the notion that a disaster changes the environment causing adaptation or alteration of microbial populations –growth, death, transportation to a new area, development traits, or resistance– that can have downstream effects on the affected ecosystem. Such downstream effects include blooms of microbial populations and the ability to colonize a new niche or host, cause disease, or survive in former extreme conditions.Throughout history, fungal populations have been affected by disasters. There are prehistoric archeological records of fungal blooms after asteroid impacts and fungi implicated in the fall of the dinosaurs. In recent times, drought and dust storms have caused disturbance of soil fungi, and hurricanes have induced the growth of molds on wet surfaces, resulting in an increased incidence of fungal disease. Probably, the anticipated increase in extreme heat would force fungi adaptation to survive at high temperatures, like those in the human body, and thus be able to infect mammals. This may lead to a drastic rise of new fungal diseases in humans.

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Effect of Climate Change on the Incidence and Geographical Distribution of Coccidioidomycosis

Cited by 2 publications

References 54 publications

Risk of Exposure to Coccidioides spp. in the Temblor Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA), Kern County, CA

Risk of Exposure to Coccidioides spp. in the Temblor Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA), Kern County, CA

Disaster mycology

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