title: Endocarditis caused by Coccidioides species.
abstract: Endocarditis caused by Coccidioides species has been reported rarely. Herein, we report 2 such cases and summarize 4 published reports. Coccidioidal endocarditis was found in patients who had prolonged or disseminated infection. Vegetations were identified on mitral or aortic valves or valvular rings, and embolic phenomena were observed. Diagnosis was hindered by uniformly negative results from blood cultures. The patients had a wide range of serologic titers for Coccidioides species (1:1-1:2048). The infection was fatal in 4 of the 6 patients whose cases we reviewed. We conclude that coccidioidal endocarditis is an uncommon manifestation of Coccidioides infection that connotes a poor prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Diseases and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA.
authors.forename: Christina S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Reuss
authors.forename: Matthew C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Janis E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Blair
authors.forename: Tsin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yeo
authors.forename: Kevin O
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Leslie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003045:Coccidioides / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003047:Coccidioidomycosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D004696:Endocarditis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents