Which physical findings suggest meningitis in disseminated coccidioidomycosis?

Updated: Aug 27, 2019
  • Author: Duane R Hospenthal, MD, PhD, FACP, FIDSA, FASTMH; Chief Editor: Michael Stuart Bronze, MD  more...
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Approximately 50% of patients with disseminated coccidioidomycosis acquire CNS disease. It can occur acutely with primary infection or later with dissemination. The meninges can be the only site of dissemination, in which case the patients is at increased risk of complications and death. [44]

Coccidioidal meningitis can present as an acute process but it is usually chronic with insidious onset, in contrast to meningitis from bacterial causes. Persistent headaches should be evaluated thoroughly upon worsening, especially in cases of unusual severity, associated nausea and vomiting, blurry vision, or a change in mental status (eg, drowsiness and confusion). Other common manifestations include nuchal rigidity and photophobia.

Symptoms related to increased intracranial pressure (eg, nausea, vomiting, altered mental status) are relatively common. Less-common presentations include focal neurologic deficits, cranial nerve palsies, tremulousness, intention tremor, papilledema, gait abnormalities, seizure, and coma. [45]

Typically a granulomatous and suppurative basilar process, coccidioidal meningitis can also involve the brain parenchyma and spinal cord with granulomas and abscesses. Hydrocephalus is a common sequela and is often present at initial diagnosis in children.

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