Coccidioidomycosis pathology

Introduction

Coccidioidomycosis immitis is a dimorphic fungus which occurs almost exclusively in residents or visitors to the Southwestern United States. Cutaneous lesions containing the organisms on biopsy may be the presenting sign of disseminated coccidioidomycosis. Dissemination is typically seen in the immunosuppressed.

Histology of coccidioidomycosis

In coccidioidomycosis, there is massive pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia and granulomatous dermal inflammation (figure 1). Often careful searching is required to find the spherules (100 µm) that contain endospores (up to 5 µm) at high power (figures 2, 3, arrow indicates spherules). The surrounding infiltrate is often rich in chronic inflammatory cells, eosinophils, neutrophils and granulomatous inflammation.

Figure 1 

Figure 2 

Figure 3 

Special stains for coccidioidomycosis

Silver stain preparations highlight the coccidioidomycosis organisms. The endospores are PAS positive, but the spherules are negative.

Differential diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis pathology

Blastomycosis or paracoccidioidomycosis – Fragmented or immature coccidioidomycosis may closely resemble these other infections. Culture or PCR can be helpful in difficult cases.

Squamous cell carcinoma, halogenoderma, mycobacterial infection – The massive epidermal hyperplasia which often accompanies coccidioidomycosis my cause diagnostic confusion with these other diverse pathologic processes.