Fungal meningitis Coccidioidal meningitis 2018-12-09T12:30:16Z A type of fungal meningitis caused by dissemination of coccidioides to basilar meninges. Coccidioides species are soil-dwelling fungi that are the causative pathogen of coccidioidomycosis, also known as Valley fever. Infection occurs from inhalation of fungal spores that become airborne from soil in endemic regions. Sixty percent of infections are asymptomatic. The rate of dissemination from primary infection to extrapulomonary sites is higher in immune-compromised individuals. A common site of dissemination is to the basilar meninges, resulting in coccidioidal meningitis.