Disseminated coccidioidomycosis in an immunocompetent patient: Report of a case and review of the literature

Disseminated Intra-abdominal Actinomycosis Mimicking Colorectal Carcinoma With Diffuse Intra-abdominal Carcinomatosis: A Case Report

Actinomycosis is a rare opportunistic bacterial infection. It most commonly affects the cervicofacial area and is less common in the gastrointestinal area. Because of the ambiguous clinical pictures, there is a low preoperative diagnosis rate and a high rate of misdiagnoses. In this case report, we have an unusual presentation of disseminated abdominal actinomycosis in a diabetic male patient with no previous history of surgery or trauma. He presented with abdominal pain for two years. Abdominal imaging showed rectal wall thickening with adhesion and attachment to the bladder, and small bowel with omental and peritoneal deposits, mimicking colorectal cancer with abdominal carcinomatosis. Histopathological examination, however, revealed actinomyces infection with no evidence of malignancy. In such cases, the recovery rate with antibiotic therapy is very high in conjunction with surgical resection.

A Case of Rapidly Progressive Coccidioidal Meningitis in an Immunocompetent Patient

A 50-year-old male with a history of a dull headache and neck pain for a few weeks presented to the ER with complaints of progressive weakness and difficulty walking. Physical examination revealed a lethargic, confused patient with abnormal tremors at rest. Initial lab work was significant for elevated hemoglobin, hematocrit, and hyponatremia. Additionally, CT imaging was significant for prominent ventricles. Several serologies and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests were ordered to determine the etiology of the patient’s meningitis. On day 10 of admission, serology results returned positive for Coccidioides antibodies. The patient was started on an IV fluconazole treatment and underwent a ventriculoperitoneal shunt and Ommaya reservoir placement procedure. Cases of coccidioidal meningitis are rarely noted in recent literature. We present this clinical case of coccidioidomycosis dissemination into the central nervous system (CNS) to highlight the rare localization of the fungal infection in a baseline immunocompetent patient.