Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2021
Abstract
Coccidioidomycosis is endemic to the Southwestern United States as well as parts of Mexico, Central, and South America. Coccidioides infection is typically subclinical or mild and self-limited. Disseminated coccidioidomycosis is uncommon except in immunosuppressed, post-transplant, or pregnant patients. Disseminated coccidioides in immunocompetent individuals is rare. We report a case of a young, apparently immunocompetent, individual who developed disseminated coccidiomycosis diagnosed at the time of a bedside splenectomy for abdominal decompression. Clinical and histological findings are discussed with review of literature.
Recommended Citation
Disseminated coccidioidomycosis is rare in immunocompetent individuals. However, this patient’s race and occupational exposure both placed him at a significantly increased risk. Given the increasing prevalence and imported cases worldwide, coccidioides infection must be high among the list of the differential diagnoses in patients living in endemic areas and/or with occupational exposure who present with respiratory findings, even in immunocompetent patients.
