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Paracoccidioidomycosis
Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), also known as South American blastomycosis, is a fungal infection that can occur as a mouth and skin type, lymphangitic type, multi-organ involvement type (particularly lungs), or mixed type. If there are mouth ulcers or skin lesions, the disease is likely to be widespread. There may be no symptoms, or it may present with fever, sepsis, weight loss, large glands, or a large liver and spleen.
The cause is fungi in the genus Paracoccidioides, including Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and Paracoccidioides lutzii, acquired by breathing in fungal spores.
Diagnosis is by sampling of blood, sputum, or skin. The disease can appear similar to tuberculosis, leukaemia, and lymphoma. Treatment is with antifungals, such as itraconazole. For severe disease, treatment is with amphotericin B followed by itraconazole, or trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole as an alternative.
It is endemic to Central and South America, and is considered a type of neglected tropical disease. In Brazil, the disease causes around 200 deaths per year.
Asymptomatic lung infection is common, with fewer than 5% of infected individuals developing clinical disease.
It can occur as a mouth and skin type, lymphangitic type, multi-organ involvement type (particularly lungs), or mixed type. If there are mouth ulcers or skin lesions, the disease is likely to be widespread. There may be no symptoms, or it may present with fever, sepsis, weight loss, large glands, or a large liver and spleen.
Two presentations are known, firstly the acute or subacute form, which predominantly affects children and young adults, and the chronic form, predominantly affecting adult men. Most cases are infected before age 20, although symptoms may present many years later.
The juvenile, acute form is characterised by symptoms, such as fever, weight loss, and feeling unwell together with enlarged lymph nodes and enlargement of the liver and spleen. This form is most often disseminated, with symptoms manifesting depending on the organs involved. Skin and mucous membrane lesions are often present, and bone involvement may occur in severe cases. This acute, severe presentation may mimic tuberculosis, lymphoma or leukaemia.
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Paracoccidioidomycosis
Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), also known as South American blastomycosis, is a fungal infection that can occur as a mouth and skin type, lymphangitic type, multi-organ involvement type (particularly lungs), or mixed type. If there are mouth ulcers or skin lesions, the disease is likely to be widespread. There may be no symptoms, or it may present with fever, sepsis, weight loss, large glands, or a large liver and spleen.
The cause is fungi in the genus Paracoccidioides, including Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and Paracoccidioides lutzii, acquired by breathing in fungal spores.
Diagnosis is by sampling of blood, sputum, or skin. The disease can appear similar to tuberculosis, leukaemia, and lymphoma. Treatment is with antifungals, such as itraconazole. For severe disease, treatment is with amphotericin B followed by itraconazole, or trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole as an alternative.
It is endemic to Central and South America, and is considered a type of neglected tropical disease. In Brazil, the disease causes around 200 deaths per year.
Asymptomatic lung infection is common, with fewer than 5% of infected individuals developing clinical disease.
It can occur as a mouth and skin type, lymphangitic type, multi-organ involvement type (particularly lungs), or mixed type. If there are mouth ulcers or skin lesions, the disease is likely to be widespread. There may be no symptoms, or it may present with fever, sepsis, weight loss, large glands, or a large liver and spleen.
Two presentations are known, firstly the acute or subacute form, which predominantly affects children and young adults, and the chronic form, predominantly affecting adult men. Most cases are infected before age 20, although symptoms may present many years later.
The juvenile, acute form is characterised by symptoms, such as fever, weight loss, and feeling unwell together with enlarged lymph nodes and enlargement of the liver and spleen. This form is most often disseminated, with symptoms manifesting depending on the organs involved. Skin and mucous membrane lesions are often present, and bone involvement may occur in severe cases. This acute, severe presentation may mimic tuberculosis, lymphoma or leukaemia.