Veterinary Public Health Program
313 N Figueroa St. Rm 1127
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Tel (213) 288-7060
Fax (213) 481-2375
vet@ph.lacounty.gov
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Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) in Animals - Case Definition |
This case definition is used to evaluate and
categorize cases of coccidioidomycosis reported in
animals to the Los Angeles County Department of Public
Health. It was developed by public health veterinarian
by reviewing published published literature and reported
cases of coccidioidomycosis in LA County animals. Earlier case
reports of this disease were reviewed and a few
reclassified to meet this 2015 case definition.
Learn more
about
animal disease
surveillance in
LA County,
and about cases
of
coccidioidomycosis
in animals in LA
County
CASE DEFINITION -
Coccidioidomycosis
(Valley Fever)
in Animals - 2015
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CONFIRMED |
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Organism identified by biopsy, cytology, positive culture, molecular techniques, or
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Antibody titer (either IgM or IgG) ≥ 1:16 PLUS compatible clinical findings
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PROBABLE |
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SUSPECTED |
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- Antibody titer (either IgM or IgG) positive but <1:4 PLUS compatible clinical findings
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NOT A
CASE |
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Does not meet the case definition of CONFIRMED, PROBABLE or SUSPECTED, or
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No compatible clinical findings AND antibody titer <1:4 (i.e. incidental low positive titer)
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COMPATIBLE
CLINICAL
FINDINGS |
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Animal has at
least one of the
disease
syndromes below.
Respiratory
disease is the
most common
finding in dogs,
while lameness
is the second
most common.
Skin lesions are
the most common
in cats.
Respiratory:
Cough AND at
least one of the
following:
fever, anorexia,
weight loss,
radiological
evidence of
pulmonary
disease or
response to
systemic
antifungal
treatment.
Bone disease:
Lameness with
focal or
multi-focal bone
pain AND at
least one of the
following:
fever, anorexia,
weight loss,
radiological
evidence of bone
disease or
response to
systemic
antifungal
treatment.
Cutaneous
disease:
Draining,
ulcerating or
mass-like skin
lesions that is
either
non-responsive
to antibacterial
therapy AND/OR
responsive to
antifungal
therapy.
Disseminated
disease:
3 of the
following
findings must be
present: fever,
anorexia, weight
loss, enlarged
lymph node(s), weakness,
seizures,
ataxia, keratitis,
uveitis, acute
blindness,
vomiting,
diarrhea, heart
failure or
response to
systemic
antifungal
treatment.
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EXPOSURE
LOCATION |
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1n general, cases are considered to be
"Other" or "Unknown" unless the history
indicates no travel outside of area.
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UNKNOWN- Less than 2
months of travel
history available.
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LA COUNTY - No travel
outside of LA County in the 2 months before
first onset of disease
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SO CAL - No travel outside of southern California in the 2 months before first onset of disease
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OTHER - Dog traveled or lived outside of southern California into other areas that are endemic for Coccidioidomycosis in the two months before first onset of disease.
For the
purpose of this
case definition Southern
California
includes the
following
counties: Los
Angeles, Orange, San
Luis Obispo,
Kern, Santa
Barbara,
Ventura, San
Bernardino,
Riverside, San
Diego & Imperial.
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RATIONALE FOR
SURVEILLANCE IN
ANIMALS |
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Animals cases
are sentinels
for the risk of
mosquito borne
disease in
general.
Animals are sentinels. Cases indicate that fungus is in soil in animal's environment. Humans in same environment may also be exposed. Epidemiological data is valuable to LA County veterinarians. |
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REFERENCES |
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Last updated: June 8, 2017
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