Dissemination of Reactivated Coccidioidomycosis Inducing Diffuse Alveolar Damage: A Rare Autopsy Case Report

Abstract

Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection prevalent in the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico. Given its rarity and often asymptomatic nature, disseminated coccidioidomycosis frequently omitted in preliminary differential diagnoses. Our case study presents the postmortem results of an individual who had a reactivated coccidioidomycosis, causing diffuse alveolar damage and resulting in his death. This case study underscores the importance of considering coccidioidomycosis in initial differential diagnoses, particularly in patients with prior exposure to the infection and associated risk factors.

Keywords: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS); Autopsy; Coccidioidomycosis; Diffuse alveolar damage (DAD); Forensic Pathology; Invasive fungal infections.