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Coccidioidal Peritonitis Masquerading as Acute Appendicitis

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection resulting from the inhalation of arthroconidia produced by the genus Coccidioides. Most encounters with this fungus result in asymptomatic or undiagnosed pulmonary disease. A smaller percentage of individuals develop symptoms, typically respiratory. A small number have disseminated (extrathoracic) disease. A previously healthy woman presented with right lower quadrant abdominal pain, with computed tomography scan findings raising suspicion for acute appendicitis. Laparoscopic examination revealed miliary-type peritoneal nodules throughout the abdominal cavity, and endosporulating spherules pathognomonic for Coccidioides were identified on histologic examination. Treatment with triazoles led to satisfactory recovery, followed by relapse. We present an unusual presentation of disseminated coccidioidomycosis presenting as abdominal pain mimicking acute appendicitis.

Source: Annals of Internal Medicine Clinical Cases

DOI: 10.7326/aimcc.2024.1007

Authors: Jose Garcia-Corella, Mania Mgdsyan, Essam Hashem, Shikha Mishra, Alexandra W. Elias, Rasha Kuran

Institutions: University of California, Los Angeles, Kern Medical Center, Western University of Health Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Fungal Infections and Studies

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4408558444

FWCI:

Cites: 12

Cited by:

Related to: 10