CAVITARY COCCIDIOIDOMYCOSIS WITH FUNGUS BALL FORMATION - DIAGNOSIS BYFIBEROPTIC BRONCHOSCOPY WITH COEXISTENCE OF HYPHAE AND SPHERULES

Pulmonary cavitary coccidioidomycosis with fungus ball formation was o bserved in two individuals with hemoptysis. The first patient had no o vert compromise; the second was an insulin-dependent diabetic. In both , fiberoptic bronchoscopy was performed and cultures yielded Coccidioi des immitis. The coexistence of spherules and hyphae of C immitis was seen histologically on bronchoscopic biopsy specimen of one cavitary l esion. Specific antifungal therapy and surgical excision were withheld and each patient has done well. This report provides for the first ti me nonsurgical confirmation that C immitis can produce an intracavitar y fungus ball.