Coccidioides meningitis

**Definition:** An uncommon but often lethal form of coccidioidomycosis due to dissemination of Coccidioides fungi from the primary site of infection, principally the lungs, to the central nervous system.

**Long definition:** Meningitis occurs in one-third to one-half of those with disseminated coccidioidomycosis. It frequently occurs as the only manifestation of disseminated disease. The presentation is headache with decreased mental acuity. The CSF profile displays a lymphocytic pleocytosis with elevated protein and reduced glucose concentrations. Coccidioidal serologic tests for IgG are usually positive but Coccidioides is infrequently cultured from CSF.

**Inclusions:** - Coccidioidomycosis meningitis