Which groups are most at risk for coccidioides infection?

Which groups are most at risk for coccidioides infection?

• A. Those with workplace exposure (e.g., military or border guards), those over 60, women in their third trimester, and immunocompromised individuals.
• B. Children under 5 with asthma.
• C. Healthy adults with no outdoor exposure.
• D. People with diabetes and hypertension.

Answer: (A)

The main concept is identifying who is most likely to acquire coccidioidomycosis based on exposure and immune status. Inhalation of airborne arthroconidia is how infection occurs, so groups with high dust exposure in endemic areas, such as people with workplace dust exposure (military, border guards, etc.), are at higher risk. Age matters because immune defense can wane in older adults, making infection more likely or more severe in those over about 60. Pregnancy, particularly in the third trimester, is a known risk factor due to shifts in immune function that can increase susceptibility and risk of dissemination. Immunocompromised individuals have reduced capacity to control fungal infections, making both infection and progression to disseminated disease more likely. The other options don’t fit as well because healthy adults with no outdoor exposure have minimal exposure to the spores, and children with asthma or people with diabetes and hypertension are not established high-risk groups for acquiring cocci infection, even though they might have other health considerations should infection occur.

The main concept is identifying who is most likely to acquire coccidioidomycosis based on exposure and immune status. Inhalation of airborne arthroconidia is how infection occurs, so groups with high dust exposure in endemic areas, such as people with workplace dust exposure (military, border guards, etc.), are at higher risk. Age matters because immune defense can wane in older adults, making infection more likely or more severe in those over about 60. Pregnancy, particularly in the third trimester, is a known risk factor due to shifts in immune function that can increase susceptibility and risk of dissemination. Immunocompromised individuals have reduced capacity to control fungal infections, making both infection and progression to disseminated disease more likely.

The other options don’t fit as well because healthy adults with no outdoor exposure have minimal exposure to the spores, and children with asthma or people with diabetes and hypertension are not established high-risk groups for acquiring cocci infection, even though they might have other health considerations should infection occur.