Central Nervous System Coccidioidomycosis in Children: A Retrospective Case Series

Published literature on central nervous system (CNS) coccidioidomycosis in children is limited. Here we describe a large case series of pediatric CNS coccidioidomycosis from a tertiary care center in an endemic region.

This is a retrospective case review of patients ≤21 years old with a diagnosis of CNS coccidioidomycosis from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2018.

Thirty patients (median age 10.8 years) were identified and most (93%) were previously healthy. Fever (90%), headache (70%), vomiting (53%), and fatigue (57%) were the most common presenting clinical manifestations, with focal neurological signs/symptoms present in 14 (47%). The initial serum Coccidioides compliment fixation (CF) titer was ≤ 1:8 in 33%. Most patients had extra-axial brain involvement (83%) and seven (23%) had associated spinal cord disease. Shunt placement was required in 70% and 62% required revision. Fluconazole was the initial treatment in 22 (73%), with treatment failure occurring in 50%. Most patients (77%) stabilized and were maintained on suppressive therapy, 4 (13%) experienced relapses and/or progressive disease, and one (3%) died, while long-term neurological complications occurred in 17%.

CNS coccidioidomycosis is an uncommon and sometimes devastating complication of disseminated coccidioidomycosis. Many patients present with relatively low CF titers and hydrocephalus is common. Fluconazole treatment failures are common, and management remains difficult despite recent advances in therapy. Most patients do well once the disease is stabilized and require lifelong therapy. Newer therapeutic agents are needed.