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Coccidioides thyroiditis in an HIV-infected patient
Sadao Jinno1, Shelley Chang, Michael R Jacobs
1Department of Medicine, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|April 21, 2012
Summary
This case study details Coccidioides thyroiditis in an HIV patient, diagnosed via fine-needle aspiration biopsy. It highlights a rare fungal infection of the thyroid gland, even with negative initial serology.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Mycology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection endemic to the southwestern United States.
- Thyroid involvement is an extremely rare manifestation of Coccidioidomycosis.
Observation:
- A case of Coccidioides thyroiditis is presented in an individual with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection.
- The patient had a recent history of Coccidioides pneumonia but presented with negative Coccidioides serology via enzyme immunoassay.
Findings:
- Diagnosis was confirmed through histopathologic examination and culture of thyroid abscess material.
- Fine-needle aspiration biopsy was crucial for obtaining diagnostic samples.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering Coccidioides thyroiditis in immunocompromised patients, even with atypical serological results.
- Histopathology and culture remain essential for diagnosing rare fungal infections affecting the thyroid gland.
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