Testing CSF for CAg is a useful addition to diagnostic methods in suspected CM and complements testing with CSF antibodies and culture.

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Object Coccidioidomycosis is a common fungal infection in the southwestern US. Hydrocephalus is a serious complication of cranial coccidioidomycosis, and the surgical management of coccidioidomycosis-related hydrocephalus has unique challenges. The authors reviewed their institutional experience with hydrocephalus in the setting of coccidioidomycosis. Methods The authors retrospectively identified 44 patients diagnosed with coccidioidomycosis-related hydrocephalus at their institution since 1990, who underwent a total of 99 shunting procedures. The authors examined patient demographics, type of shunt and valve used, pressure settings, failure rates, medical treatment, ventricular response to shunting, and other variables. Results The majority of patients were young (average age 37 years) men (male/female ratio 28:16) with a mean follow-up of 63 months. Patients of Asian and African descent were overrepresented in the cohort compared with regional demographic data. The overall shunt failure rate during follow-up was 50%, and the average number of revisions required if the shunt failed was 2.5 (range 1–8). Low to moderate draining pressures (mean 88 mm H2O) were used in this cohort. Fourteen patients received intrathecal antifungals, and a trend of initiating intrathecal therapy after need for a shunt revision was observed (p = 0.051). The majority of shunt failures (81%) were due to mechanical blockages in the drainage system. Most patients (59%) had at least partial persistent postoperative ventriculomegaly despite successful CSF diversion. Four patients (9%) died due to coccidioidomycosis during the follow-up period. Conclusions Coccidioidomycosis-related hydrocephalus more often affected young males in the study's cohort, especially those of African and Asian descent. Despite the best medical therapy, there was a high rate of shunt failure due to clogged catheters or valves due to the underlying disease process. Many patients continued to have ventriculomegaly even with adequate CSF diversion. The morbidity and mortality of this chronic disease process must be recognized by the treatment team, and patients should be appropriately counseled.

Background: Coccidioides spp. may cause significant disease requiring hospitalisation, but optimal antifungal therapy among inpatients following outpatient fluconazole exposures is unknown. Objectives: The objective of this study is to describe the effectiveness of fluconazole among patients hospitalised for coccidioidomycosis despite recent outpatient fluconazole treatment. Patients/Methods: Patients were admitted to an academic medical center in Phoenix, Arizona from 1 January 2013 through 31 December 2020 for coccidioidomycosis following at least 30 days of outpatient treatment and re-initiation of fluconazole upon admission. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with an improved response per the change in the modified Mycosis Study Group (MSG) score (a composite of symptoms, serology and radiographic findings) and clinician impressions.Results: Sixty-seven patients were included, with most (54%) admitted to the intensive care unit. Meningitis was the most common infectious presentation (55%), 17 patients (25%) had multiple infection sites, and 23 (34%) were culture-positive for Coccidioides.Upon admission, the median (IQR) MSG score was 11 (9-14), which dropped to 4 (1-7) at end of therapy or last follow-up. Overall, after initiation of fluconazole therapy at a median daily dose of 800 mg, 48 patients (72%) improved in overall status, 10 (15%) showed stable disease and 9 (13%) were unresponsive. Improved response rates were high across all infection sites, including meningitis (68%) and bone infection (71%).There was no significant difference in response rates between patients with and without reported outpatient fluconazole nonadherence. Conclusions:The majority of patients admitted to the hospital for coccidioidomycosis appeared responsive to fluconazole therapy despite past outpatient exposures.