Constrictive pericarditis due to Coccidiomycosis

Coccidioidal pericarditis: a rapid presumptive diagnosis by an in-house antigen confirmed by mycological and molecular methods

“…Only a few cases of pericarditis caused by coccidioidomycosis have been reported (Schwartz et al, 1976;Chowdhury & Habibzadeh (1977); Faul et al, 1999;Aquilar et al, 2001;Visbal et al, 2003;Arsura et al, 2005, Crum-Cianflone et al, 2006. This case report describes a patient with pericardial effusion and chronic fibrosing pericarditis, who later presented constrictive pericarditis.…”

Coccidioidal pericarditis: a case presentation and review of the literature

“…[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]12,13 The presentation can be acute, progress rapidly to effusive-constrictive physiology or the presentation can be that of a chronic constrictive process. 5,6 Relapsing pericarditis is seen in some patients. The initial symptom complex for patients with coccidioidal pericarditis is usually nondescript, and does not differ significantly from pulmonary coccidioidomycosis, with chest pain and pulmonary symptoms predominating.…”

“…9 Pericardiectomy for coccidioidal pericarditis has been successful in young patients. 6 The goal is complete resection, freeing the heart from the constrictive process. Pericardiectomy was necessary in seven patients and was planned in one patient who died.…”

“…[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]12,13 One additional case of coccidioidal pericarditis seen by the authors is added to bring the total to 17 patients. Two autopsy series 10,11 with 25 cases of coccidioidal pericarditis that did not include any relevant details were also reviewed, however these studies were not incorporated in this review.…”

Comparative Aspects of Coccidioidomycosis in Animals and Humans

“…A retrospective study was also published recently in which 17 dogs underwent subtotal pericardiectomy for pericardial/epicardial coccidioidomycosis in a period of 4 years at one surgical referral center in the endemic region (Phoenix, AZ) 39 . By comparison, a search of the human literature revealed only 15 reported cases of coccidioidal pericarditis 40–45 . Involvement of the pericardium was also noted in a horse at necropsy, 5 a llama, 11 and in 5/15 cats in a necropsy series (personal communication, Dr. S. Dial).…”