Coccidioidal

/ˌkɒksɪdiˈɔɪdəl/ adjective

Definition

Relating to or caused by Coccidioides, a fungal infection that primarily affects the lungs.

Etymology

From 'Coccidioides' (the fungal genus) + '-al' (adjectival suffix). The fungus name itself combines Greek 'kokkos' (berry) + '-oides' (resembling), as the fungus spherules look berry-like under magnification.

Kelly Says

Valley fever (coccidioidal infection) is so specific to the American Southwest that it's virtually endemic to dust in Arizona and Southern California—people can contract it simply by breathing in contaminated dust from construction sites or dust storms.

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