Algorithms for Diagnosing the Endemic Mycoses Blastomycosis, Coccidioidomycosis, and Histoplasmosis

At a glance

During this COCA Call, participants will learn about these infections' epidemiology and diagnostic challenges. Participants will also be introduced to new clinical diagnostic algorithms to address these challenges and improve the timely diagnosis of blastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, and histoplasmosis.

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Free Continuing Education

Overview

The endemic mycoses blastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis (Valley fever), and histoplasmosis are environmental fungal diseases that are frequently misdiagnosed. Early diagnosis of these fungal diseases, mainly in primary and urgent care settings, can prevent severe and disseminated disease.

During this COCA Call, participants will learn about these infections' epidemiology and diagnostic challenges. Participants will also be introduced to new clinical diagnostic algorithms to address these challenges and improve the timely diagnosis of blastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, and histoplasmosis.

Presenters

Mitsuru Toda, MS, PhD
Epidemiologist, Outbreaks & Endemics Unit Lead, Mycotic Diseases Branch
Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Samantha Williams, MPH
Epidemiologist, Mycotic Diseases Branch
Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Dallas Smith, PharmD, MAS
LT, U.S. Public Health Service
Epidemiologist, Mycotic Diseases Branch
Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Call Objectives

COCA Call Objectives

At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to accomplish the following:

  1. Cite background information on the topic covered during the presentation.
  2. Discuss CDC's role in the topic covered during the presentation.
  3. Describe the topic's implications for clinicians.
  4. Discuss concerns and/or issues related to preparedness for and/or response to urgent public health threats.
  5. Promote health improvement, wellness, and disease prevention in cooperation with patients, communities, at-risk populations, and other members of an interprofessional team of healthcare providers.

Activity-specific Objectives

  1. Describe the epidemiology of blastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, and histoplasmosis in the United States and the impact of delayed and underdiagnosed cases.
  2. Discuss diagnostic challenges associated with blastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, and histoplasmosis.
  3. Identify populations clinicians should consider testing for blastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, and histoplasmosis.
  4. Describe diagnostic tests clinicians should consider initially and after a negative test for blastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, and histoplasmosis.
  5. Discuss the implementation of the clinical diagnostic algorithms for blastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, and histoplasmosis

Additional Resources

Continuing Education

To receive continuing education (CE) for WD4520-092123 – Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) Calls/Webinars – Algorithms for Diagnosing the Endemic Mycoses Blastomycosis, Coccidioidomycosis, and Histoplasmosis, please visit CDC TRAIN and search for the course in the Course Catalog using WD4520-092123. Follow the steps below by October 24, 2025.

  1. Register for and complete the course.
  2. Pass the post-assessment at 80%.
  3. Complete the evaluation.
  4. Visit Your Learning to access your certificates and transcript.

In support of improving patient care, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

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CDC is a Jointly Accredited Provider in Interprofessional Continuing Education.

CME: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designates this activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

AAPA CME: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid until 12/13/2023. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

CNE: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designates this activity for 1 nursing contact hours.

CPE: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designated this (Knowledge-based) event for pharmacists to receive 0.1 CEUs in pharmacy education. The Universal Activity Number is JA4008229-0000-23-029-L04-P and enduring is JA4008229-0000-23-030-H04-P.

Once credit is claimed, an unofficial statement of credit is immediately available on CDC TRAIN. Official credit will be uploaded within 60 days on the NABP/CPE Monitor.

CEU: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is authorized by IACET to offer 0.1 CEU's for this program.

CECH: Sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) and/or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®) to receive up to 1.0 total Category I continuing education contact hours. Maximum advanced level continuing education contact hours available are 1. Continuing Competency credits available are 1. CDC provider number 98614.

AAVSB/RACE: This program was reviewed and approved by the AAVSB RACE program for 1.0 hours of continuing education. Participants should be aware that some boards have limitations on the number of hours accepted in certain categories and/or restrictions on certain methods of delivery of continuing education. Please contact the AAVSB RACE program at race@aavsb.org if you have any comments/concerns regarding this program's validity or relevancy to the veterinary profession.

For Certified Public Health Professionals (CPH): The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a pre-approved provider of Certified in Public Health (CPH) recertification credits and is authorized to offer 1 CPH recertification credits for this program.

DISCLOSURE: In compliance with continuing education requirements, all planners and presenters must disclose all financial relationships, in any amount, with ineligible companies over the previous 24 months as well as any use of unlabeled product(s) or products under investigational use.

CDC, our planners, and presenters wish to disclose they have no financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.

Content will not include any discussion of the unlabeled use of a product or a product under investigational use.

CDC did not accept financial or in-kind support from ineligible companies for this continuing education activity.

Fees: No fees are charged for CDC's CE activities.

Target Audience

  • Physicians
  • Nurses
  • Pharmacists
  • Veterinarians
  • Physician Assistants
  • Health Educators
  • Other Clinicians

Additional Information

  • Contact Information: coca@cdc.gov
  • Support/Funding: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Emergency Risk Communication Branch
  • Method of Participation: You may participate in the educational activity by viewing the program information above.
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