The First Two Cases of Coccidioidomycosis in Finland

Abstract

Abstract. Endemic areas of coccidioidomycosis are described. The mycology of Coccidioides immitis is reviewed, with special reference to the risk of laboratory infection. A classification of coccidioidomycosis is listed and two cases from Finland are presented. The first patient had typical X‐ray and clinical findings, including a positive coccidioidin test. The second case, occurring soon after a visit to Arizona, was confirmed by positive fungal cultures from the sputum and from a resected specimen. Because the latter patient became pregnant and the risk of dissemination was considered great, legal abortion was performed. The resection of the pulmonary cavitation with infiltration around it took place under coverage of pre‐ and postoperative amphotericin B medication. Complete recovery was obtained. The indications for thoracic surgery are briefly listed. Diagnostic and mycologic aspects of this rare and exotic disease are discussed. Among other things, the importance of a good medical history in finding the contact with infective environment or material is stressed.

Novel Treatment of Disseminated Coccidioidomycosis in a Dog with Voriconazole

“…is a dimorphic soilborne fungus endemic in the southwestern United States and parts of Mexico and Central and South America that can infect both humans and animals [ 1 ]. The organism can remain dormant within its host for several years after travelling to an endemic area, and there have been rare reports of coccidioidomycosis in humans in Europe [ 2 – 7 ]. Coccidioidomycosis can be difficult to diagnose if a thorough travel history is not investigated.…”

Pulmonary Coccidioides nodule in a Swiss patient with chronic lymphatic leukaemia

“…immitis is a dimorphic fungus endemic in the southwest of the USA and South America. A few cases associated with travel to endemic areas have been reported in European patients, most of them, however, before 1980 (Alanko et al, 1975;Holemans et al, 2000;Krempl-Lamprecht, 1978). Since coccidioidomycosis is rarely seen in Europe and therefore will not often be suspected, it is important that physicians recognize infections with this pathogen worldwide, in particular with respect to the generally observed increase in mobility.…”

Primary mycoses and virulence of dimorphous particularly dangerous micromycetes

“…Распространение паракокцидиоидомикоза ограничено странами Латинской и Южной Америки. При этом наивысший уровень заболеваемости отмечают в Бразилии (ежегодно регистрируют до 6 новых случаев паракокцидиоидомикоза на 100000 населения) [35].…”