Review of coccidioidomycosis in immunocompromised children

N. MacDonald, M. C. Steinhoff and K. R. Powell

Only 13 cases of coccidioidomycosis in immunocompromised children have been previously reported. Of the reported cases, seven children had extrapulmonary involvement and died, while the six children with disease limited to the lungs survived the infection. A leukemic child who was treated for disseminated coccidioidomycosis and survived is described. Reviews of immunocompromised adult patients with coccidioidomycosis suggest factors that might be related to dissemination. Similar factors for immunocompromised children could not be defined, thus suggesting the need for more information regarding coccidioidomycosis.