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Glite Dictionary
Coccidioides

Coccidioides

9.9
A type of fungus that can cause Valley fever
  • proper noun
  • /kɒkˈsɪdiˌoʊɪdz/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Coccidioides
  • Many health professionals in the southwestern United States are aware of Coccidioides and its effects on those with weakened immune systems.

Examples

  • The organisms causing systemic fungal infections include Histoplasma capsulatum, a fungus found in the southern parts of the United States and South America, and Coccidioides.

    Academic text (2005)

  • In areas where Coccidioides spores are prevalent, people are at higher risk for respiratory infections.

  • Coccidioides is a fungus found in the soil that can cause Valley fever in humans.

Surface Forms

Coccidioides main

Etymology

Coccidioides comes from Greek parts cocci meaning 'little berry' and -oides meaning 'like'. The fungus makes round, berry-like bodies, so the name describes its shape and refers to the organism that can cause Valley fever.