Estimating the Exposure-Response Relationship between Fine Mineral Dust Concentration and Coccidioidomycosis Incidence Using Speciated Particulate Matter Data: A Longitudinal Surveillance Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Coccidioidomycosis, caused by inhalation of Coccidioides spp. spores, is an emerging infectious disease that is increasing in incidence throughout the southwestern US. The pathogen is soil-dwelling, and spore dispersal and human exposure are thought to co-occur with airborne mineral dust exposures, yet fundamental exposure-response relationships have not been conclusively estimated.

Objectives

We estimated associations between fine mineral dust concentration and coccidioidomycosis incidence in California from 2000 to 2017 at the census tract level, spatiotemporal heterogeneity in exposure-response, and effect modification by antecedent climate conditions.

Methods

We acquired monthly census tract-level coccidioidomycosis incidence data and modeled fin

SUBMITTER: Weaver AK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11729455 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature