Coccidioides-Induced Pyopneumothorax in an Immunocompetent Patient

Abstract

Coccidioidomycosis is a rare infection caused by the dimorphic fungi Coccidiodes immitus or Coccidioides posadasii. This fungal infection is very common in the American Southwest as well as northern Mexico. Though the fungus is ubiquitous, symptomatic coccidioidomycosis usually occurs in the elderly or immunocompromised. This case report discusses a unique instance of an immunocompetent 29-year-old male without any notable past medical history who was found to have a coccidioidal cavitary lung lesion with concomitant pyopneumothorax.