Which antifungal medication is used to treat Coccidioides immitis infections?

The correct choice for treating Coccidioides immitis infections is Amphotericin B. This antifungal agent is particularly effective in treating serious cases of coccidioidomycosis, especially in patients with severe or disseminated forms of the disease. While fluconazole is sometimes used for less severe cases of coccidioidomycosis and can be used for maintenance therapy, Amphotericin B is preferred initially for its greater efficacy in actively reducing the fungal burden in more critical situations.

Coccidioides immitis, the causative agent of coccidioidomycosis (or Valley fever), can lead to severe clinical disease requiring an aggressive treatment approach. Amphotericin B's mechanism involves binding to ergosterol in the fungal cell membrane, leading to cell death, which is crucial for effectively managing infections caused by this pathogen.

Other antifungal agents mentioned, such as itraconazole and fluconazole, are often used for chronic or less severe forms of the disease but are not the first line for severe cases. Flucytosine is not commonly used for this type of infection as it is typically reserved for specific fungal infections like cryptococcosis. Thus, Amphotericin B is recognized as