Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), initially reported in 1908 in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, by Adolpho Lutz, is primarily a systemic and neglected tropical mycosis that may affect individuals with certain risk factors around Latin America, especially Brazil.
Paracoccidioides brasiliensis
sensu stricto
, a classical thermodimorphic fungus associated with PCM, was long considered to represent a monotypic taxon. However, advances in molecular taxonomy revealed several cryptic species, including
Paracoccidioides americana
,
P. restrepiensis
,
P. venezuelensis
, and
P. lutzii
, that show a preference for skin and mucous membranes, lymph nodes, and respiratory organs but can also affect many other organs.