Immunocompetent host and mortality-related coccidioidomycosis: A case report and narrative review

Coccidioidomycosis, caused by Coccidioides infection, is typically subclinical and self-limited in immunocompetent patients. Occupational soil exposure, age ≥55 years, pregnancy, comorbidities, or immunosuppression states are common contributors to disease progression and potential mortality. This report describes a 34-year-old woman from Northwest Mexico, without evident risk factors, who presented chest pain and odynophagia as initial clinical symptoms and died at the 19th day of progressive clinical evolution consequence of pulmonary coccidioidomycosis. Findings in this report, along with those reviewed from the literature, highlight potential disparities that may be helpful in limited clinical settings, so eventual mortality-related coccidioidomycosis can be prevented.