[Coccidioides immitis: primary infection of the central nervous system. Case report and literature review].

A case of primary coccidiodal meningitis without pulmonary, osseous or dermic affection due to Coccidioides immitis in a 27 years old male patient with hypertensive brain of one month of evolution, was reported. The patient was resident of Northern California, and he was previously healthy. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed a glucose of 22 mg/dL, proteins 62 mg/dL, white blood cells 100/mm3 (97% PMN, 3% MN). CT SCAN showed bilateral ventricular dilatation. Diagnosis of coccidioidal meningitis was made based on antibodies against anticoccidioides (IgM 6.8 mg/dL and IgG 4.9 mg/dL, normal < 2 mg/dL) and growth of Coccidioides immitis. The chest radiograph was normal and the detection of antibodies against human immunodeficiency virus was negative. A VP shunt was placed and the patient was treated with intravenous amphotericin B and intratecal amphotericin B through on Ommaya reservoir. Even with antifungal treatment the patient deteriorated neurologically after an initial transient improvement, he died two weeks later in his hometown.