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Disseminated coccidioidomycosis associated with hypercalcemia
1Department of Medicine, Maricopa Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
Mayo Clinic Proceedings
|September 16, 1998
Summary
Disseminated coccidioidomycosis infection can cause hypercalcemia unrelated to vitamin D or parathyroid hormone. Pamidronate effectively treated this hypercalcemia in a patient with fungal infection.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
Background:
- Disseminated coccidioidomycosis is a serious fungal infection.
- Hypercalcemia is a potential complication of disseminated infections.
- The etiology of hypercalcemia in coccidioidomycosis is not fully understood.
Observation:
- A patient with disseminated coccidioidomycosis presented with hypercalcemia.
- Laboratory results revealed low 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and suppressed parathyroid hormone levels.
- These findings indicated that hypercalcemia was not mediated by vitamin D or parathyroid hormone.
Findings:
- Hypercalcemia associated with disseminated coccidioidomycosis resolved rapidly after pamidronate administration.
- This suggests pamidronate is an effective treatment for this specific type of hypercalcemia.
- Calcium levels remained normal during subsequent antifungal therapy for Coccidioides immitis.
Implications:
- Pamidronate should be considered for managing hypercalcemia in disseminated coccidioidomycosis.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms of hypercalcemia in fungal infections.
- This case highlights the importance of monitoring calcium levels in patients with disseminated coccidioidomycosis.