Two treatment failures using diethylstibestrol in treatment of coccidioidomycosis.

Abstract

Diethylstilbestrol has been used successfully by Curtis and Harrell1in the treatment of two cases of blastomycoses. The rationale for using female hormones for the treatment of deep mycoses is (a) the low incidence of deep mycoses in females, and (b) the in vitro fungistatic activity of these hormones. Bocobo, Curtis, and Harrell2reported excellent results on the in vitro fungistatic activity of diethylstilbestrol on Coccidioides immitis. These two cases of coccidioidomycosis which were treated with large doses of diethylstilbestrol are reported because of the effects from administering 100 mg. per day for relatively long periods and the failure of this hormone in altering the disease. REPORT OF CASES Case1.—A 25-year-old Negro (Fig. 1) was stationed at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas, for one year. During that time he was on maneuvers in desert-like areas. In July, 1951, he was transferred to Germany. In August, 1951, he