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Abstract Details

The Mysterious Mold: A Case of Coccidioides Meningitis
Infectious Disease
P5 - Poster Session 5 (5:30 PM-6:30 PM)
4-023
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We report a 65-year-old man who presented with Coccidioides meningitis complicated by hydrocephalus and vasculitis. He initially presented with a brief pneumonia followed by escalating headaches after recent travel to Arizona. After three months of persistent headaches, two lumbar punctures revealed cerebrospinal fluid with pleocytosis, extremely low glucose, and increased protein. Cytology, infectious and rheumatologic workup were unrevealing. Cultures and serological studies were normal. On axillary lymph node biopsy, non-caseating granuloma was identified and the patient was started on steroids for presumed neurosarcoidosis. After two weeks of steroids, the patient developed worsening headaches, diplopia and ataxia. CT head revealed severe hydrocephalus, and CT chest showed new reticulonodular opacities with mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy concerning for worsening sarcoid versus infection. He was transferred to a tertiary care facility for VP shunt placement and was started on empiric antimicrobials. A trans-bronchial biopsy revealed fungal elements. CSF and serum Coccidioides antibody returned positive, and re-evaluation of initial lymph node biopsy suggested necrotic granuloma. The patient was started on amphotericin B and fluconazole shortly after transfer, however he rapidly deteriorated due to ongoing vasculitis evident on diffusion-weighted imaging of the brain.  He was terminally extubated per family’s wishes. CSF and lung tissue cultures subsequently grew Coccidioides species.

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We report a case of Coccidioides meningitis in an immunocompetent patient with travel history to an endemic area followed by chronic, progressive headache and ataxia. If the index of suspicion for Coccidioides infection is high, repeat serologic testing is warranted. Cultures may not be reliable in diagnosis due to a reported recovery rate of < 1.0%  for Coccidioides in blood and CSF. When CNS disease is suspected, CSF Coccidioides antigen and antibody are recommended tests with sensitivities of 93% and 70%, respectively.

 

 

Authors/Disclosures
Diana E. Slawski, MD (Stanford University Healthcare)
PRESENTER
No disclosure on file
No disclosure on file
No disclosure on file
Patricia Greenstein, MD (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center) Dr. Greenstein has nothing to disclose.
No disclosure on file