Female genital coccidioidomycosis (FGC), Addison's disease and sigmoid loop abscess due to Coccidioides immites;: Case report and review of literature on FGC

We describe a woman with unusual complications of infection with Coccidioides immitis - infection of the genital tract and adrenal insufficiency. The patient also had intestinal coccidioidomycosis (cocci) in conjunction with presumed pulmonary, and asymptomatic central nervous system cocci. To our knowledge, concurrent FGC, intestinal and adrenal cocci have not been reported previously. A MEDLINE review from 1966-1997 revealed only 1 case of adrenal insufficiency due to cocci. FGC is rare; we identified 12 reported cases since 1929. No combination of investigations or clinical features is sensitive enough to predict FGC. Diagnosis is usually made after microscopy of surgical specimens. FGC presents either as tubo-ovarian disease or endometritis. Treatment generally involves surgical excision and antifungal agents. We hypothesize that an initial trial of antifungals may obviate the need for surgery.