COCCIDIOIDAL MENINGITIS: CASE REPORT

Coccidioidomycosis is caused by the dimorphic fungi of the genus Coccidioides (C. immitis and C. posadasii), which are endemic in desert regions of the southwestern United States, and Central and South America. Meningitis is the most lethal complication of coccidioidomycosis and thus is crucial to recognize. A 64 years old diabetic patient suffering from meningitis was studied. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample was collected by lumber puncture technique under aseptic conditions from female patients who admitted to Baghdad City hospital, conventional methods included cell count and differentiation, biochemical analysis, staining and culturing of CSF sample was applied. CSF smear with lactophenol cotton blue, revealed a typical picture of Coccidioidis spp. This is the first case reported in Iraq. In conclusion, fungal meningitis should be included as one of the most causes in chronic meningitis in Iraq