[Pulmonary coccidioidomycosis:a case report and review of the literature].

OBJECTIVE

To improve the understanding of the clinical manifestations of pulmonary coccidioidomycosis.

METHODS

A case of pulmonary coccidioidomycosis was reported, and the literature was reviewed. The epidemiologic, clinical and diagnostic aspects of coccidioidomycosis were discussed.

RESULTS

A 74 year old male was admitted to the hospital because of physical examination revealing lung space occupying lesions for 9 months and cough for 2 weeks. Lung puncture biopsy was carried out and the diagnosis of cryptococcosis was established in another hospital. After 6 months' therapy with fluconazole, the chest CT showed no change. After being hospitalized, thoracoscopic wedge resection of lung was performed and the final diagnosis was pulmonary coccidioidomycosis. After the surgery, he was immediately started on voriconazole 200 mg daily for 1 month. Then oral fluconazole was prescribed for 5 months. A follow-up chest CT performed 6 months after surgery was normal.

CONCLUSIONS

Coccidioidomycosis is uncommon. It's pathological appearance is similar to cryptococcus. With the extensive using of immune suppressive drugs, we should improve the recognition of coccidioidomycosis.