Pulmonary coccidioidomycosis Diagnosed in an Immigrant.

Shin, Jae Seung; Lee, In Sung; Shin, Chol; Kim, Aeree

doi:2001.51.5.448

Tuberc Respir Dis > Volume 51(5); 2001 > Article

Case Report

Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2001;51(5):448-452.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2001.51.5.448 Published online November 1, 2001.

Pulmonary coccidioidomycosis Diagnosed in an Immigrant.

Jae Seung Shin, In Sung Lee, Chol Shin, Aeree Kim

Abstract

Coccidioidomycosis is a common infectious disease in southwestern North America, which is caused by the soil fungus, Coccidioides immitis. Due to the mobility of the modern population, increasing numbers of cases are being diagnosed outside the endemic areas. Moreover, diagnosis in non-endenmic areas may be delayed or confused due to its rarity. Here we report a case of pulmonary coccidioidomycisis in an immigrant. The patient presented with unexplained pulmonary symptoms. A history of recent travel to or immigration from an endemic area may suggest coccidioidomycosis. In addition an early tissue biopsy is helpful in establishing this diagnosis.

Key Words: Bacterial infections and Mycoses, Mycoses, Coccidioidomycosis