Disseminated Coccidioidomycosis with Clinically Evident Splenomegaly in an Immunocompetent Host, First Case Reported in the literature

Abstract

Coccidioidomycosis is a dimorphic fungus endemic to the southwestern United States, Central and South America. We report a case of a previously healthy person who presented with respiratory failure and disseminated Coccidioidomycosis who eventually had a fatal outcome. Coccidioidomycosis, or “Valley Fever” has been called the “great imitator” (1) as it can have a wide variety of clinical presentations. This case is unique as it represents the first described case of an immunocompetent host with rapidly progressing, disseminated coccidioidomycosis with clinically apparent splenomegaly and hepatomegaly.

INTRODUCTION

Coccidioidomycosis was initially identified and classified incorrectly as a protozoan species in 1892 by Alejandro Posadas,(2) It was reclassified as a fungus in 1900(3) but retained the name due to its close resemblance to the protozoan coccidian. The two species which cause human disease, C. immitis and C. posadasii, are named for the seriousness of the disease (immitis, latin: not mild) and in homage to Alejandro Posadas. Alejandro Posadas’ initial case, a 36 year old Argentinean soldier, eventually died from the disease in 1898. Lesions, at autopsy, were found in his lungs, adrenals, lymph nodes, liver, peritoneum, prostate, spleen, and testes.(4)

Disseminated coccidioidomycosis is a regional disease which has national importance.(5) Coccidioides is a dimorphic fungus endemic to the southwestern United States as well as Central and South America.(6) Outbreaks have also been described well outside the generally accepted borders. Some are due to travel to endemic areas(7-15), while others represent expansion of the known borders of Coccidioidomycosis (16) Coccidioidomycosis causes a range of clinical presentations from asymptomatic disease, a mild selflimited respiratory disease (17) to dissemination to multiple systems and organs. Dissemination, especially fungemia, (18-20) can lead quickly to sepsis and death.

Coccidioidomycosisis is usually acquired via exposure to dust from soil containing spores. Once inhaled the spores take 1-3 weeks to germinate and cause disease. It is not spread via human to human contact and outbreaks are highly dependent on environmental conditions. Dry, hot summers after a wet winter and spring, increase the number of reported cases.(21) It is common in the Southern California region and, in some endemic San Joaquin valley areas, 75% of the population has immunity against the fungus as measured by skin testing (22).

Disseminated disease is likely to be seen in certain populations; The infection and dissemination rate is much higher among Blacks and Filipinos (23). Males are infected more often than females (24), which may be exposure based, but may also be related to hormonal or genetic factors. HIV patients (especially with CD4 counts < 100)(25-28) as well as patients on chronic immunosuppression for other medical conditions (rheumatological and/or transplant related diseases) and those treated with immunosuppressive chemotherapy are at higher risk of either reactivation of a latent infection or disseminated disease (29-35). Diabetes, which does appear to increase the risk for symptomatic infection and may increase the risk for dissemination (36).

The disseminated form of Coccidioidomycosis may present with evidence of involvement of the skin (19, 37), prostate gland (38-43), eye (44, 45), bone (46), meninges (47-49) and liver (50-56). Splenic and hepatic involvement, as diagnosed on autopsy, has been described previously (4) but clinically evident hepatosplenomegaly in a living adult patient has not been widely reported. We present a case of a healthy adult HIV seronegative patient with massive hepatosplenomegaly from disseminated cocci.

CASE PRESENTATION

The patient was an incarcerated 24 year old African American male who presented to the Emergency Department (ED) from a correctional facility where he had served four months of his sentence. He had been participating in a work-release program during which he was responsible for cleaning up camp sites, national forest sites, and roadways, where it is suspected that he came into contact with soil containing spores of coccidioidomycosis.

His chief complaint was anorexia and rare vomiting for approximately two months. He had begun experiencing worsening general malaise, a ten pound weight loss and had become increasingly short of breath with an occasional cough.

The patient stated that he used alcohol occasionally and had an approximately three-pack-year history of smoking, which he stopped a few years ago. The patient also admitted to drug use (marijuana and methamphetamine) before his incarceration. He had no prior hospital admissions and had been in excellent health until two months before admission. He took no medications regularly and had no allergies. He denied any recent sexual contact. Prior to his incarceration he stated that he was in a stable relationship with his girlfriend.

His maternal family had sickle cell trait, but he and his sister were negative for sickle cell trait or disease. His paternal family history was unknown.

On initial evaluation his blood pressure was 110/60, respiratory rate 41, temperature 38.3, heart rate 134, saturation 98% on 15 Liters O2 on a non-rebreather mask with bilateral crackles. His initial physical exam was otherwise notable for an enlarged liver and spleen with a spleen tip palpable at 8 centimeters below the lateral rib margin. He had two cafe-au-lait spots on his anterior abdomen but his exam was otherwise negative. Rectal and Guaiac exams were also negative.

His initial labs were as follows: Sodium 126, potassium 5.1, chloride 98, bicarb 18, BUN 25, creatinine 1.4, glucose 89, calcium 7.7, Phosphorus 4.3. Hemoglobin 4.9, hematocrit 16.1, white blood cell count 17.9, platelet count 98,000, MCV 72. Arterial blood gas: pH 7.49, PCO2 24, PO2 111, bicarb 18, CO2 19. Iron 9, iron saturation 5%. iron binding capacity 118 with generous iron stores on bone marrow biopsy. Bilirubin was 2.4, direct bilirubin 1.2, indirect bilirubin 1.2, alkaline phosphatase 192, ALT 76, AST 85. Further workup during his admission included a negative ELISA HIV test and his CD4 count was 384 (during his illness). His sedimentation rate was 55. A hemoglobin electrophoresis was performed which revealed no Hgb S, Hgb A1 90.5%, A2 3.7%, F 5.4%. A serum protein electropheresis showed no monoclonal region. Pneumocystis jiroveci (previously carinii) direct fluorescent antibody was negative. Blood cultures were initially negative on admission. Cryptococcal antigen was negative in a cerebrospinal fluid sample. Sputum acid fast bacilli staining was negative and the samples were culture negative. Legionella urinary antigen was negative.

A Computerized tomography (CT) scan showed hepatosplenomegaly with a miliary infiltrate in both organs.

He initially refused intubation but as he became more fatigued from his tachypnea he eventually consented. His tachycardia and tachypnea were initially thought to be due to his severe anemia and burden of his underlying disease. He was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where he progressed to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). He was initially given Azithromycin 500 mg a day, Piperacillin/ Tazobactam 3.375 grams IV every 8 hours, and Vancomycin 1250 mg IV every 12 hours. His initial hemoglobin and low platelets prompted a bone marrow biopsy on day 3 which showed Coccidioidomycosis spherules. He also had a positive endotracheal aspirate for methicillin sensitive staph aureus. When the spherules were described on the bone marrow aspirate, and confirmed with serological testing, he was started on Fluconazole 600 mg every day and given Nafcillin 2 grams IV every 4 hours. Fungal blood cultures eventually grew coccidioides. When he did not improve after 4 days he was switched to amphotericin for one dose then to liposomal amphotericin which caused acute renal failure. (BUN 77, Cr 3.5). His course was also complicated by a ventilator associated pseudomonas pneumonia which was treated with Piperacillin/Tazobactam 2.25 grams every 6 hours and Levofloxacin 500 mg IV every 6 hours. His anemia was recalcitrant to multiple transfusions and he had minor bleeding from multiple sites.

The patient developed a board-like abdomen and a perforated viscus was suspected. An exploratory laparotomy was performed on hospital day 13. No perforation was identified but the spleen and liver appeared irregular and were infiltrated with large fungal colonies on biopsy. Given the massive splenic involvement which was felt to be compressing his diaphragm and affecting his pulmonary function, a splenectomy was performed. His spleen is pictured below (Figures 1-3). It measured 25 cm by 18 cm by 14.5 cm, weighed almost 9 pounds and had visible coccidioidomycosis colonies on macroscopic exam. The pathology slides also confirmed colonies of coccidioides (Figures 4-5). Despite antibiotic and antifungal treatment, after a total of 18 days he developed a cardiac arrhythmia and died on ventilatory support.

Figure 1: Gross spleen.

Figure 3: Gross spleen.

Figure 4: Liver with a Cocci spherule.

Figure 5: The spleen is effaced (white pulp and red pulp are not distinguishable) and acute inflammation (neutrophils) is present in the background indicating acute splenitis. Numerous Cocci spherules are present.

Figure 2: Gross spleen.

DISCUSSION

Splenomegaly is an uncommon finding in disseminated cocci, especially in an immunocompetent person. Our review of the literature was unable to find any previously reported cases of clinically evident splenomegally in an immunompetent host. We hope that other similar cases will continue to be reported so that further insight into this disease process may be gleaned.

This case highlights many of the problems commonly encountered in patients with Coccidioidomycosis infections: delay to diagnosis, low suspicion with diagnosis suggested from peripheral tests, and seriousness in African American males. The uncommon features are also notable; his rapid progression to ARDS, sepsis and death, his negative HIV ELISA and his relatively appropriate CD4 count along with no significant past medical history are not commonly encountered in a case this severe. This case highlights the importance of considering Coccidioidomycosis and other mycotic diseases when presented with a patient in respiratory failure, even when they are not immunosuppresed.

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