Abstract
Diagnosis, treatment and outcome in systemic infection caused by Coccidioides Immitis in a non endemic region. First case in Spain
71 year old patient. Symptoms: stomach aches, tiredness and weight loss of 14kg
Imaging Investigations: Abdominal pelvic US and Gastroscopy were performed as cancer was suspected. This study showed a bilateral suprarrenal mass.
Fearing a pulmonary mass a Thoracic Scan was requested. Results proved mediastinal and axillary nodes. Also found was interstitial illness which lead to a working diagnosis of Granulomatous Lymphangitis.
BIOPSIES: An axillary lymph node, suprarrenal gland and pulmonary tissues.
ANATOMOPATHOLOGY: Necrotising Granulomatous Lymphadenitis.
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS: TBC, Sarcoidosis and Autoinmune illnesses.
SAMPLE CULTURES were repeatedly negative for funghi, bacteria and Mycobacterium.
DIAGNOSIS The patient was subsequently he was commenced on Substitute Hormonal Therapy with improvement of symptoms.
MANAGEMENT: Due to a gonarthrosis he required Total Knee Arthroplastia.
During surgery a prominent SINOVITIS was noticed, with anatomopathology results of Chronic Necrotising Granulomatous Sinovitis with lymphoid folicules.
FOLLOW UP: 7 years after the patient attends A&E with signs of infection on the replaced knee.
A bacterial infection is suspected and the patient is admitted into hospital for the replacement extraction, cement substitution with Gentamicin and iv antibiotherapy with LEVOFLOXACIN
His symptoms improved up to a month when he returned to A&E with similar presentation THE PATIENT IS ADMITTED ONCE MORE FOR SURGERY:
Sample Cultures from the prosthesis showed positive growth for Coccidiodes Immitis
Article Reviews provided us with brand new information. A new approach was taken and anamnesis was geared towards finding out a possible contact with the funghi in the endemic region. It appeared that the patient had worked as a Shepherd for four years (1957–1961) in Bakersfield. A Southern Californian region north to LA and under San Francisco. After all, he was admitted for 25 days in a local hospital for pneumonia.
DIAGNOSIS WAS REACHED thanks to these findings.
The old spacer wasswapped for a Cement Spacer with Amphotericin B 250 mg.
Oral treatment with FLUCONAZOL 400 mg/day was associated and after a few days changed to ITRACONAZOL 200 mg/12 hours orally.
The patient improved local and systemically. After a few months he evolved as planned and now has a good general and local condition with normal biochemistry results.
A final ARTHRODESIS was performed.
It's quite likely that he may require long life therapy with Antifungals to avoid reactivations.
We highlight the originality of the case, as the first diagnosis of articular Coccidioides diagnosed in Spain, and its successful outcome with prosthetic replacement rebound and chronic antifungal therapy.
