Unique presentation of an endemic opportunistic fungal infection: Disseminated coccidioidomycosis mimicking metastatic lung cancer with endotracheal and endobronchial involvement.
Amir R Reihani, Naveen Jayakumar, Ricardo Searcy, Anderson N Vu, Anil Perumbeti, Justin Thomas
Author Information
Amir R Reihani: Pulmonology Fellowship, Eisenhower Medical Center, Rancho Mirage, California, USA.
Naveen Jayakumar: Department of Pulmonology and Critical Care, Eisenhower Medical Center, Rancho Mirage, California, USA.
Ricardo Searcy: Internal Medicine Department, Eisenhower Medical Center, Rancho Mirage, California, USA.
Anderson N Vu: Internal Medicine Department, Eisenhower Medical Center, Rancho Mirage, California, USA.
Anil Perumbeti: Department of Pulmonology and Critical Care, Eisenhower Medical Center, Rancho Mirage, California, USA.
Justin Thomas: Department of Pulmonology and Critical Care, Eisenhower Medical Center, Rancho Mirage, California, USA.
Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection primarily Endemic in the Southwest United States. Disseminated Coccidioidomycosis is a life-threatening variant that mainly occurs in an immunocompromised host. This report describes an unusual presentation of disseminated Coccidioidomycosis in an immunocompetent individual. The patient was admitted with a subacute cough, progressively worsening shortness of breath, significant weight loss, nodular skin lesions in upper extremities, and acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. Chest imaging revealed extensive nodularity and mass-like lesions. What sets this case apart is the significant endotracheal and endobronchial involvement, which mimicked metastatic lung cancer. The diagnosis was confirmed through serology and bronchoscopy biopsy. This case underscores the critical importance of considering detailed travel history and maintaining a high index of suspicion for fungal infections in patients with endobronchial lesions, particularly in regions where Coccidioidomycosis is endemic.
