More Than Companionship: Canine Serology Helps Define Coccidioidal Endemicity in the U.S.

Analysis of some 900,000 blood samples from dogs indicates that coccidioidomycosis occurs primarily in Arizona but also in parts of Texas, Colorado, and Montana.

Coccidioidomycosis is a growing problem in the U.S., yet the geographic extent of human cases is uncertain because of underreporting. Canine serologic data might provide an alternate (and possibly more accurate) measure given the close association of dogs and people, their local acquisition of infection, and their generally limited travel.

Researchers analyzed coccidioidal serologic results from seven diagnostic laboratories (2012–2022; nearly 835,000 dogs). Most of the positive results were from Arizona (92%), followed by California (3.7%) and a combination of Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas (2.6%). Counties in California and Arizona known to have high human incidence correlated spatially with canine annual mean incidence. In …

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

More Than Companionship: Canine Serology Helps Define Coccidioidal Endemicity in the U.S.

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Reviewing Author