Exudative pleurisy of coccidioidomycosis: A case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Introduction: Community-acquired pneumonia is the most common manifestation in primary coccidioides infections (Coccidioides immitis, C. posadasii). It is essential that this endemic dimorphic fungus be considered in order to proceed with the most appropriate diagnostic tools and therapy.

Primary Coccidioidal Pleural Effusions Successfully Treated with Adjunctive Corticosteroid Therapy

“…Nevertheless, there are reports [5][6][7] on the need for a long course of antifungal therapy and prolonged hospital stay before clinical and radiological improvement occurs. In many instances the physiopathology of coccidioidal pleural effusions resembles that of tuberculosis as fluid collections may result from the direct extension of infection from the lung parenchyma into the pleural space or by means of immune complex pleuritis due to antigens exposure [8] .…”