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Coccidioides immitis presenting as a hyphal form in cerebrospinal fluid
M R Zepeda1, G K Kobayashi, M D Appleman
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, LAC+USC, USA.
Journal of the National Medical Association
|August 1, 1998
Summary
This case study details a rare presentation of Coccidioides immitis in a patient
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Microbiology
Background:
- Coccidioides immitis is a fungal pathogen endemic to the southwestern United States.
- Typically, Coccidioides immitis exists in tissue as spherules, not hyphae.
- Disseminated coccidioidomycosis can affect the central nervous system.
Observation:
- A 38-year-old patient presented with symptoms suggestive of meningitis.
- Microscopic examination of cerebrospinal fluid revealed exclusively hyphal forms of the fungus.
- Coccidioides immitis was the sole organism identified through culture.
Findings:
- The fungal organism was confirmed as Coccidioides immitis using standard culture and DNA probe techniques.
- This case highlights an unusual morphological presentation of Coccidioides immitis in cerebrospinal fluid.
- The exclusive presence of hyphae in CSF is atypical for Coccidioides immitis infections.
Implications:
- This finding expands the understanding of Coccidioides immitis morphology in clinical specimens.
- It may necessitate adjustments in diagnostic approaches for suspected coccidioidomycosis, particularly in neurological cases.
- Further research into the factors influencing Coccidioides immitis morphology in vivo is warranted.
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