The Coincidence of 2 Epidemics, Coccidioidomycosis and SARS-CoV-2: A Case Report

Abstract

In the middle of a pandemic, patients with cough and fever are thought to have SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2). It should be remembered that in the desert southwest of the United States, we have an ongoing epidemic of coccidioidomycosis (CM). There are additionally many other respiratory illnesses that could be confused with CoV-2 or overlooked. This is a case report of CoV-2 engrafted on chronic cavitary pulmonary CM. In a time where the coronavirus pandemic is becoming rampant, we demonstrate the case of a coinfection with cavitary pulmonary CM. In this case, the importance of detection of the coronavirus and treatment of the coinfection is explored.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a Patient with Disseminated Histoplasmosis and HIV—A Case Report from Argentina and Literature Review

“…These findings added the clinical suspicion of PjP and addressing additional laboratory testing for the confirmation of this coinfection [ 36 ]. But, it is also important to mention that similar situations have been reported in persons who are not living with HIV [ 35 , 37 ].…”

“…Only one report described a co-infection with a dimorphic fungus, Coccidioides. This was a report of a patient who did not adhere to chronic coccidioidomycosis treatment, who developed moderate COVID-19, no hospitalization was needed in this case [37]. Case report of Pneumocystis pneumonia in a newly diagnosed HIV patient who developed acute respiratory failure due the COVID-19 infection.…”

“…We identified a total of 28 references describing COVID-19 cases co-infected with fungal diseases, including 16 case series and 12 case reports [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 ]. These reports came from 15 countries; half were from European countries (54%), followed by reports from Asia (28%), the Americas (14%) and Oceania (4%); no reports from Africa were identified.…”

“…Only one report described a co-infection with a dimorphic fungus, Coccidioides . This was a report of a patient who did not adhere to chronic coccidioidomycosis treatment, who developed moderate COVID-19, no hospitalization was needed in this case [ 37 ].…”

The Complexity of Co-Infections in the Era of COVID-19

“…Intestinal parasite co-infection however was seemingly associated with less severe COVID-19 [86]. Yet other reports illustrate virus infection either complicating or giving way to various fungal infections [87,88]. With the use of multiple antibacterial treatments, corticosteroids, or immunomodulating agents otherwise, it is not surprising to see an association of COVID-19 with opportunistic fungi such as yeast and Aspergillus spp.…”