Research Note: Exposing a Need for Clinical Awareness of Coccidioidomycosis

Source

Ahmed SZ, Sykes JE, Laporte C, et al. Survey of United States–based veterinarians reveals knowledge gaps in coccidioidomycosis and guides future One Health–based educational initiatives. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2026:1-9. doi:10.2460/javma.25.11.0739

Research Note

Coccidioidomycosis (ie, valley fever) is a systemic and cutaneous fungal disease endemic to Arizona, California, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Washington, and Texas in the United States, as well as Mexico and parts of Central and South America. Geographic distribution and rates of coccidioidomycosis are increasing, possibly due to climate change and human activity (eg, construction, agriculture).¹ Clinical presentation of coccidioidomycosis is similar in dogs and humans, and dogs could act as sentinels for human infection.

A survey to evaluate clinician awareness of coccidioidomycosis was sent to an online veterinary community and resulted in 640 responses, including 365 from endemic areas and 275 from nonendemic areas after respondents from outside the United States and those who practiced in multiple states were excluded. The survey assessed respondents’ location, professional role, clinical experience, continuing education, and core knowledge (ie, microbiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, laboratory diagnosis) of coccidioidomycosis.

Respondents in endemic areas reported 230 times more cases of canine coccidioidomycosis than those in nonendemic areas; awareness scores were ≤50% in both groups. Most education about the disease occurred in veterinary school; no difference in continuing education hours were reported between groups. Of the 8 cases from nonendemic areas for which medical records were available, all had known history of travel to endemic regions.

The authors concluded that clinician knowledge about coccidioidomycosis is low in both endemic and nonendemic areas, and educational and reporting initiatives are needed to improve awareness and recognition.