Hyphal forms in the central nervous system of patients with coccidioidomycosis

Authors
Hagman, HM Madnick, EG D'Agostino, AN Williams, PL Shatsky, S Mirels, LF Tucker, RM Rinaldi, MG Stevens, DA Bryant, RE
Citation
Hm. Hagman et al., Hyphal forms in the central nervous system of patients with coccidioidomycosis, CLIN INF D, 30(2), 2000, pp. 349-355
Citations number
22
Categorie Soggetti
Clinical Immunolgy & Infectious Disease",Immunology
Journal title
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
ISSN journal
10584838 → ACNP
Volume
30
Issue
2
Year of publication
2000
Pages
349 - 355
Database
ISI
SICI code
1058-4838(200002)30:2<349:HFITCN>2.0.ZU;2-3
Abstract
Coccidioides immitis is a dimorphic fungus that grows as a filamentous mold in soil and as a spherule at human body temperature. The hyphal or soil fo rm is found rarely in human tissue. We report 5 cases of coccidioidomycosis in which hyphae were found in brain tissue or spinal fluid, The presence o f central nervous system plastic devices appears to be associated with morp hological reversion to the saprophytic form. This reversion has implication s for diagnosis and therapy and may increase the risk of obstruction of the device(s).