Geographic distribution of endemic fungal infections among older persons, United States

Emerg Infect Dis. 2011 Sep;17(9):1664-9. doi: 10.3201/eid1709.101987.

Abstract

To investigate the epidemiology and geographic distribution of histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, and blastomycosis in older persons in the United States, we evaluated a random 5% sample of national Medicare data from 1999 through 2008. We calculated national, regional, and state-based incidence rates and determined 90-day postdiagnosis mortality rates. We identified 776 cases (357 histoplasmosis, 345 coccidioidomycosis, 74 blastomycosis). Patient mean age was 75.7 years; 55% were male. Histoplasmosis and blastomycosis incidence was highest in the Midwest (6.1 and 1.0 cases/100,000 person-years, respectively); coccidioidomycosis incidence rate was highest in the West (15.2). On the basis of available data, for 86 (11.1%) cases, there was no patient exposure to a traditional disease-endemic area. Knowledge of areas where endemic mycosis incidence is increased may affect diagnostic or prevention measures for older adults at risk.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Blastomycosis / epidemiology*
  • Coccidioidomycosis / epidemiology*
  • Endemic Diseases*
  • Female
  • Histoplasmosis / epidemiology*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • United States / epidemiology