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Pulmonary mycetoma due to Coccidioides immitis
Chest
|March 1, 1977
Summary
This case report details a rare pulmonary mycetoma caused by Coccidioides immitis in a patient with disseminated disease. Surgical resection was necessary for the mycetoma despite successful medical treatment of other lesions.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonary Medicine
Background:
- Pulmonary mycetoma is a rare fungal ball in the lung, with few reported cases linked to Coccidioides immitis.
- Disseminated Coccidioides immitis infections can present with diverse clinical manifestations.
Observation:
- The study presents the fourth reported case of pulmonary mycetoma caused by Coccidioides immitis.
- The patient had widely disseminated Coccidioides immitis, indicating a severe systemic infection.
Findings:
- Microscopic examination of the specimen revealed the presence of spherules and hyphae, characteristic of Coccidioides immitis.
- While active pulmonary and extra-pulmonary lesions responded to amphotericin B, the residual mycetoma persisted.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering pulmonary mycetoma in disseminated coccidioidomycosis.
- Surgical intervention may be required to manage residual mycetoma and associated complications like hemoptysis, even with effective systemic therapy.
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