Paracoccidioidomycosis

Lung Diseases - Selected State of the Art Reviews

“…The endemic areas are thus contained within the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn (Bonifaz, 2010). PCM, however, is much more frequently reported in Souththan in Central-American countries respecting Chile, Surinam, the Guyana, Nicaragua and Belize and with rare exceptions (one case each in Trinidad, Grenada and Guadeloupe), also the Caribbean Islands (Lacaz et al, 2002;Restrepo et al, 2011). Brazil accounts for over 80% of all reported cases with Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia and Argentina informing lesser proportion of cases (Colombo et al, 2011;Restrepo et al, 2011).…”

“…The infection is acquired after inhalation of the infectious particles (conidia) produced by the fungus's mycelia form present in its as yet unknown natural habitat (Restrepo & Tobón, 2009;Restrepo et al, 2011). This fungal pathogen has two morphotypes, a mold at temperatures under 28°C that frequently reveals chlamydoconidia and more rarely conidia (size <5 µm): the latter can transform into yeast cells under the influence of body temperature.…”

“…Geography sets PCM apart from other endemic mycoses of the Americas, such as histoplasmosis and coccidioidomycosis, as it is strictly confined to Latin America from Mexico at 23° North to Argentina at 34° South (Colombo et al, 2011;Nucci et al, 2009;Restrepo et al, 2011). The endemic areas are thus contained within the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn (Bonifaz, 2010).…”

“…PCM, however, is much more frequently reported in Souththan in Central-American countries respecting Chile, Surinam, the Guyana, Nicaragua and Belize and with rare exceptions (one case each in Trinidad, Grenada and Guadeloupe), also the Caribbean Islands (Lacaz et al, 2002;Restrepo et al, 2011). Brazil accounts for over 80% of all reported cases with Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia and Argentina informing lesser proportion of cases (Colombo et al, 2011;Restrepo et al, 2011). Additionally, this mycosis is not distributed homogeneously within a particular endemic territory but is concentrated in tropical and subtropical regions with abundant forests and waterways, high annual rainfall indices (1400-2999 mm), and mild temperatures (17°C-24°C) predominating throughout the year (Borelli, 1972;Calle et al, 2001;Restrepo et al, 2001).…”

Pulmonary Paracoccidioidomycosis: Clinical, Immunological and Histopathological Aspects

“…Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is an endemic systemic mycosis caused by the thermally dimorphic fungus, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. The infection is acquired after inhalation of the infectious particles (conidia) produced by the fungus's mycelia form present in its as yet unknown natural habitat (Restrepo & Tobón, 2009;Restrepo et al, 2011). This fungal pathogen has two morphotypes, a mold at temperatures under 28°C that frequently reveals chlamydoconidia and more rarely conidia (size <5 µm): the latter can transform into yeast cells under the influence of body temperature.…”