Introduction
The agents of paracoccidioidomycosis, historically identified as
Paracoccidioides brasiliensis
, are in fact different phylogenetic species. This study aims to evaluate associations between
Paracoccidioides
phylogenetic species and corresponding clinical data.
Methods
Paracoccidioides
strains from INI/Fiocruz patients (1998–2016) were recovered. Socio-demographic, epidemiological, clinical, serological, therapeutic and prognostic data of the patients were collected to evaluate possible associations of these variables with the fungal species identified through partial sequencing of the ADP-ribosylation factor (
arf
) and the 43-kDa-glycoprotein (
gp43
) genes.
Results
Fifty-four fungal strains were recovered from 47 patients, most (72.3%) infected in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. Forty-one cases were caused by
Paracoccidioides brasiliensis
and six by
Paracoccidioides americana
(former PS2).
P
.
brasiliensis
was responsible for severe lymph abdominal forms, whereas patients infected with
P
.
americana
presented a high rate of adrenal involvement. However, no statistically significant associations were found for all variables studied.
P
.
americana
presented 100% reactivity to immunodiffusion, even when tested against antigens from other species, while negative results were observed in 9 (20%) cases caused by
P
.
brasiliensis
, despite being tested against a homologous antigen.
Conclusions
P
.
brasiliensis
and
P
.
americana
are sympatric and share similar clinical features and habitat, where they may compete for similar hosts.