Talaromyces marneffei, Coccidioides species, and Paracoccidioides species-a systematic review to inform the World Health Organization priority list of fungal pathogens.

The World Health Organization, in response to the growing burden of fungal disease, established a process to develop a fungal pathogen priority list. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the epidemiology and impact of infections caused by Talaromyces marneffei, Coccidioides species, and Paracoccidioides species. PubMed and Web of Sciences databases were searched to identify studies published between 1 January 2011 and 23 February 2021 reporting on mortality, complications and sequelae, antifungal susceptibility, preventability, annual incidence, and trends. Overall, 25, 17, and 6 articles were included for T. marneffei, Coccidioides spp. and Paracoccidioides spp., respectively. Mortality rates were high in those with invasive talaromycosis and paracoccidioidomycosis (up to 21% and 22.7%, respectively). Hospitalization was frequent in those with coccidioidomycosis (up to 84%), and while the duration was short (mean/median 3-7 days), readmission was common (38%). Reduced susceptibility to fluconazole and echinocandins was observed for T. marneffei and Coccidioides spp., whereas >88% of T. marneffei isolates had minimum inhibitory concentration values ≤0.015 µg/ml for itraconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole. Risk factors for mortality in those with talaromycosis included low CD4 counts (odds ratio 2.90 when CD4 count <200 cells/µl compared with 24.26 when CD4 count <50 cells/µl). Outbreaks of coccidioidomycosis and paracoccidioidomycosis were associated with construction work (relative risk 4.4-210.6 and 5.7-times increase, respectively). In the United States of America, cases of coccidioidomycosis increased between 2014 and 2017 (from 8232 to 14 364/year). National and global surveillance as well as more detailed studies to better define sequelae, risk factors, outcomes, global distribution, and trends are required.

An atypical case of chronic paracoccidioidomycosis in a dog caused by a fungus from the Paracoccidioides brasiliensis complex.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis endemic in Latin American countries and one of the most important fungal diseases regarding incidence and mortality in humans. PCM has also been described in some animal species such as dogs. In this study we describe a new case of PCM disease in a dog that differed from previous records in the literature which includes a progressive evolution of fungal dermatitis causing a deforming lesion in the nose, like those found in human patients, and humoral response against gp70 instead of gp43, the major diagnostic antigen for human PCM. The clinical isolate through the ITS and partial gp43 gene phylogenetic analysis was grouped in the Paracoccidioides brasiliensis complex. This case describes several features which may contribute to improving diagnosis and understanding of canine paracoccidioidomycosis.

Carbon nanoparticle-based lateral flow assay for the detection of specific double-tagged DNA amplicons of Paracoccidioides spp.

To overcome the limitations of current methods for diagnosing paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), it is critical to develop novel diagnostic strategies that can be implemented in low-resource settings and dramatically improve turnaround times. This study focused on the development of a portable molecular test to screen for Paracoccidioides spp. The proposed approach integrated double-tagging polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a paper-based lateral flow assay (LFA) for readout, using carbon nanoparticles as a signal generation system. Primers tagged with biotin and digoxigenin were employed to conduct the double-tagging PCR, which can be conveniently carried out on portable thermocyclers. This method can generate billions of tagged DNA copies from a single target molecule, which can be rapidly detected by the LFA platform, providing results within minutes. Avidin-modified carbon nanoparticles served as a signal generation system, enabling detection in the immunochromatographic assay. The LFA demonstrated the capability to detect double-tagged amplicons as low as 0.21 ng or 0.10 ng, depending on whether the results were assessed visually or with a smartphone equipped with an image processor. These findings suggest that the proposed approach holds great promise as a point-of-care diagnostic tool for the early and accurate detection of PCM in low-resource settings. The diagnostic test is rapid and inexpensive, requires minimal handling and can be easily introduced into the general practitioner's armoury for ambulatory screening of infection. This innovative approach has the potential to make a substantial contribution to PCM diagnosis, ultimately reducing morbidity and mortality associated with this disease.

Recombinant 60-kDa heat shock protein from Paracoccidioides brasiliensis induces the death of mouse lymphocytes in a mechanism dependent on Toll-like receptor 4 and tumor necrosis factor.

Paracoccidioides fungi are thermodimorphic microorganisms that cause paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), an autochthonous disease from Latin America, with most cases in Brazil. Humans become infected by inhaling conidia or mycelial fragments that transform into yeast at body temperature. These fungi cause chronic-granulomatous inflammation, which may promote fibrosis and parenchyma destruction in the lungs. In response to stress imposed by the host, fungi Paracoccidioides spp. increase the expression of heat shock proteins (HSP), which protect them by sustaining cellular proteostasis. Our group has studied the role of HSP60 in PCM, and previous data show that the recombinant HSP60 (rHSP60) has a deleterious effect when used in a single dose as therapy for experimental PCM. Here, we investigated the mechanism by which rHSP60 could worsen the disease. We found that rHSP60 caused the viability loss of splenic or lymph node cells from both immunized and non-immunized mice, including in splenic T lymphocytes under polyclonal stimulation with concanavalin A, probably by undergoing apoptosis. Among analyzed splenic cells, lymphocytes were indeed the main cells to die. When we investigated the death mechanisms, remarkably, we found that there was no viability loss in rHSP60-stimulated splenic cells from mice deficient in Toll-like receptor 4, TRIF adapter protein, and TNF receptor 1(TNFR1), as well as rHSP60-stimulated WT cells incubated with anti-TNF antibody. Besides, caspase-8 inhibitor IETD-CHO blocked the rHSP60 effect on splenic cells, suggesting that rHSP60 induces the extrinsic apoptosis pathway dependent on signaling via TLR4/TRIF and TNFR1.

Extracellular vesicles from virulent P. brasiliensis induce TLR4 and dectin-1 expression in innate cells and promote enhanced Th1/Th17 response.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-enclosed nanoparticles that transport several biomolecules and are involved in important mechanisms and functions related to the pathophysiology of fungal diseases. EVs from Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, the main causative agent of Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), modulate the immune response of macrophages. In this study, we assessed the EVs proteome from a virulent P. brasiliensis isolated from granulomatous lesions and compared their immunomodulatory ability with EVs isolated from the fungus before the animal passage (control EVs) when challenging macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs). Proteome showed that virulent EVs have a higher abundance of virulence factors such as GP43, protein 14-3-3, GAPDH, as well as virulence factors never described in PCM, such as aspartyl aminopeptidase and a SidJ analogue compared with control EVs. Virulent extracellular vesicles induced higher expression of TLR4 and Dectin-1 than control EVs in macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs). In opposition, a lower TLR2 expression was induced by virulent EVs. Additionally, virulent EVs induced lower expression of CD80, CD86 and TNF-α, but promoted a higher expression of IL-6 and IL-10, suggesting that EVs isolated from virulent P. brasiliensis-yeast promote a milder DCs and macrophage maturation. Herein, we showed that EVs from virulent fungi stimulated a higher frequency of Th1/Tc1, Th17, and Treg cells, which gives new insights into fungal extracellular vesicles. Taken together, our results suggest that P. brasiliensis utilizes its EVs as virulence bags that manipulate the immune system in its favour, creating a milder immune response and helping with fungal evasion from the immune system.

Molecular detection of Paracoccidioides spp. in environmental samples from the Southwestern Amazon.

Paracoccidioidomycosis is an infection with the potential for environmental dissemination, especially in regions of hot and humid climate, where human cases have been recorded in the Southwestern Amazon of Brazil, specifically in the state of Acre. Despite studies providing information about the presence of these fungi in soil and animal samples, such as armadillos, further investigations are still needed to determine the epidemiological distribution of the genus Paracoccidioides. The aim of this study was to detect the occurrence of Paracoccidioides fungi in the Southwestern Amazon. To achieve this, 60 soil samples were collected from armadillo burrows on rural properties in the in the municipalities of Acrelândia, Bujari, Plácido de Castro, Rio Branco, Sena Madureira, and Senador Guiomard, located in the state of Acre, Brazil. Fungal DNA was extracted from these samples using the DNEASY® PowerSoil kit-Quiagen, followed by Nested PCR technique with ITS4 and ITS5 as external primers, and PBITS-E and PBITS-R as internal primers. DNA amplification products of about 380 bp compatible with Paracoccidioides spp. were detected in six samples (10%), being sequenced and identified as P. brasiliensis. These findings indicate that the soils of the Acre state could be considered a potential source for Paracoccidioides spp., suggesting that local infections are likely.

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis habitat: far beyond armadillo burrows?

Paracoccidioides spp. isolation from environmental samples is rare and hardly reproducible. Molecular techniques have facilitated the fungal detection. However, it can be still difficult. Some strategies to enhance the capacity of DNA detection have been adopted, including the analysis of soil samples belonging to the habitat of animals from which Paracoccidioides spp. have already been isolated, notably armadillo burrows. To date, the detection of Paracoccidioides spp. has not yet been reported from outbreak hotspots. Clusters and outbreaks of acute paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), usually a more severe clinical form, have currently occurred in urban areas being associated to climate changes, deforestation, and great constructions. These occurrences potentially signalise the fungus' environmental niche, a riddle not yet solved. The authors performed an environmental investigation in a deeply disturbed area, after a highway construction in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where a recent outbreak of acute PCM occurred. Specific DNA sequences of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis were detected in shallow soil samples around the highway, reinforcing the association between the road construction and this PCM outbreak.

Paracoccidioidomycosis manifested by sarcoidosis-like cutaneous lesions and caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis sensu stricto (S1a)

Abstract: Molecular studies have shown more than one species of the genus Paracoccidioides to be the causal agent of paracoccidioidomycosis. Efforts have been made to correlate the identified species with epidemiological and clinical data of patients, aiming to determine the real meaning and impact of new species. Bearing this objective in mind, the authors report a clinical case of paracoccidioidomycosis, from São Paulo state, Brazil, that manifested as uncommon sarcoid-like cutaneous lesions and was caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis sensu stricto (S1a). The patient was treated with itraconazole 200mg/day for 12 months, with complete clinical remission.

Manifestaciones orales de Paracoccidioidomicosis: informe de un caso / Oral manifestations of Paracoccidioidomycosis: report of a case

Objetivo: un caso clínico de paracoccidioidomicosis restringida a cavidad oral, contribuyendo con el conocimiento de esta patología al odontólogo general. Caso clínico: paciente masculino de 57 años de edad proveniente de la ciudad de Tartagal, Salta, derivado a la Unidad de Estomatología del Hospital Señor del Milagro, por presentar lesiones orales de tres meses de evolución. Clínicamente se observaron lesiones granulomatosas, indoloras, moriformes, en encía vestibulary palatina del sector antero superior derecho con ausencia de lesiones pulmonares. Se realizaron estudios microbiológicos y anatomopatológicos. Posteriormente, el paciente fue derivado al Servicio de infectología, donde recibió tratamiento con itraconasol (200 mg), con repuesta clínica favorable. Conclusión: el conocimiento de las manifestaciones orales puede llevar al diagnóstico clínico de la paracoccidioidomicosis por parte del odontólogo. El diagnóstico precoz es la mejor manera de salvar al paciente de las complicaciones de esta enfermedad.

Objective: a clinical case of paracoccidioidomicosis restricted to oral cavity, contributing to the knowledge of this disease to the general dentist. Case report: male patient of 57 years old from Tartagal, Salta referred to the Stomatology Center of Hospital Señor Del Milagro, presenting oral lesions with an evolution of three months. He had painless granulomatory lesions in the buccal and palatal gingiva of the upper right sector and without lungs injury. It performed microbiological and pathological studies. Subsequently, the patient referred to the Service of Infectious Diseases where he was treated with 200mg Itraconasol with a favorable clinical response. Conclusion: knowledge of oral manifestations can lead to clinical diagnosis of paracoccidioidomicosis by general dentist. Early diagnosis is the best way to save the patient from complications of this disease.

Paracoccidioidomycosis in the spine: case report and review of the literature / Paracoccidioidomicose na coluna vertebral: relato de caso e revisão da literatura

ABSTRACT: CONTEXT: Paracoccidioidomycosis is a systemic form of mycosis that spreads hematogenously, secondarily to reactivation of lung infection or infection at another site or to new exposure to the causative agent. Few cases of bone involvement have been reported in the literature and involvement of the spine is extremely rare. CASE REPORT: We describe a case of a 68-year-old male patient with spondylodiscitis at the levels L4-L5 caused by presence of the fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, which was diagnosed through percutaneous biopsy. The patient was treated with sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim for 36 months, with complete resolution of the symptoms. CONCLUSION: Spondylodiscitis caused by the fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is uncommon. However, in patients with chronic low-back pain who live or used to live in endemic regions, this infection should be considered as a possible differential diagnosis.

RESUMO: CONTEXTO: Paracoccidioidomicose é uma micose sistêmica de disseminação hematogênica, secundária a reativação de uma infecção pulmonar ou de outro sítio, ou a uma nova exposição ao agente causador. Poucos casos de envolvimento ósseo são relatados na literatura, e o acometimento da coluna vertebral é extremamente raro. RELATO DE CASO: Descrevemos o caso de um paciente masculino de 68 anos, apresentando espondilodiscite no nível L4-L5, causada pela presença do fungo Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, diagnosticada após biópsia percutânea. O paciente foi tratado com sulfametoxazol e trimetoprim por 36 semanas, com resolução completa dos sintomas. CONCLUSÃO: A espondilodiscite causada pelo fungo Paracoccidioides brasiliensis é incomum, mas, em pacientes portadores de lombalgia crônica que viveram ou vivem em regiões endêmicas, deve ser considerada como um possível diagnóstico diferencial.

Diagnóstico molecular de paracoccidioidomicose associada à tuberculose em amostras de escarro / Paracoccidioidomycosis molecular diagnosis associated with tuberculosis in sputum samples

Introdução: A paracoccidioidomicose (PCM) é uma micose sistêmica endêmica causada pelo fungo Paracoccidioides spp. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a associação entre tuberculose (TB) e PCM em pacientes com exame micológico negativo. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo de diagnóstico molecular de amostras de escarro, com resultado positivo para bacilo álcool ácido resistente (BAAR) e negativo no exame direto e cultivo micológico. Resultados: A aplicação de técnicas moleculares resultou em 18,4% de pacientes coinfectados com PCM e TB. Conclusão: O conhecimento das diferenças clínicas, epidemiológicas e laboratoriais da PCM quando associada à TB é importante para prevenir a disseminação da doença, complicações e o aumento da letalidade (AU)

Introduction: Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic endemic mycosis caused by Paracoccidioides spp. The aim of this study was to determine the association between tuberculosis (TB) and PCM in patients with negative mycological examination results. Methods: Prospective study of molecular diagnosis of sputum samples, with positive results for bacilli resistant acid (BAAR) and negative results on direct examination and mycological culture. Results: The application of molecular techniques resulted in 18.4% of patients co-infected with PCM and TB. Conclusion: The knowledge of clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory differences of PCM when associated with TB is important to prevent the spread of disease, complications, and increased mortality (AU)

THE POWER OF THE SMALL: THE EXAMPLE OF Paracoccidioides brasiliensis CONIDIA / O poder do pequeno: o exemplo dos conídios do Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

SUMMARYResearch on Paracoccidioides brasiliensis has centered in the yeast cell probably because of the lack of distinctive features in the mycelium. In 1942 and for the first time, lateral conidia were noticed in the fungus' hyphae. Later on, Brazilian, Venezuelan and Argentinean researchers described "aleurias" when the fungus was grown in natural substrates. In 1970 authors became interested in the conidia and were able to obtain them in large numbers and treat them as individual units. Their shape and size were defined and the presence of all the elements of a competent eukaryotic cell were demonstrated. Conidia exhibited thermal dimorphism and, additionally, when given intranasally to BALB/c male mice, they converted into yeasts in the lungs and produce progressive pulmonary lesions with further dissemination to other organs. Studies on the phagocyte-conidia interaction were revealing and showed that these versatile structures allow a better understanding of the host- P. brasiliensisinteractions.

RESUMOA investigação sobre Paracoccidioides brasiliensis tem-se centrado na célula de levedura, provavelmente devido à falta de características distintas no micélio. Em 1942 e, pela primeira vez, conídios laterais foram notados nos hifas dos fungos. Mais tarde, pesquisadores brasileiros, venezuelanos e argentinos descreveram "aleurias" quando o fungo foi cultivado em substratos naturais. Em 1970, os autores se interessaram pelos conídios e foram capazes de obtê-los em grande número e tratá-los como unidades individuais. A sua forma e tamanho foram definidos, e a presença de todos os elementos de uma célula eucariótica competente foram demonstrados. Conídios apresentam dimorfismo térmico e, além disso, quando administrados por via intranasal a camundongos BALB/c machos, são convertidos em leveduras nos pulmões e produzem lesões pulmonares progressivas com posterior disseminação para outros órgãos. Estudos sobre a interação de fagócitos-conídios foram reveladores e mostraram que estas estruturas versáteis permitem melhor compreensão das interacções entre hospedeiro e P. brasiliensis.

Seroepidemiology of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis infection in horses from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is the etiological agent of the major systemic mycosis in Brazil, called paracoccidioidomycosis. Although the Rio Grande do Sul is considered an endemic area of the disease, there are few studies on the ecology of P. brasiliensis in the state. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the infection of P. brasiliensis in horses from the mesoregion of Southwest Riograndense, using these animals as sentinels. Serological techniques, such as double immunodiffusion in agar gel (AGID) and indirect ELISA, were performed to detect the anti-gp43 P. brasiliensis antibody in horses from five different farms in the region of Bagé, RS, Brazil. Serology was performed in 200 Pure Blood English horses up to two years of age that were born and raised exclusively at the farms. Of these horses, 12% had anti-gp43 antibodies according to the ELISA results, with rates ranging from 0 to 30% according to the farm of origin (p < 0.001). Based on the immunodiffusion results, all equine serum samples were negative. These results indicate the presence of the fungus P. brasiliensis in the middle region of the southwestern state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Paracoccidioidomicosis en pediatría: descripción de 4 casos / Paracoccidioidomycosis in pediatric patients: a description of 4 cases

Antecedentes. La paracoccidioidomicosis es la micosis sistémica más frecuente en las zonas tropicales y subtropicales de Latinoamérica; el agente etiológico es Paracoccidioides. La enfermedad se presenta preferentemente en la población adulta, por lo que existen pocos reportes en la edad pediátrica. El objetivo del presente trabajo es describir las características clínicas, epidemiológicas y diagnósticas, y la evolución de los casos de paracoccidioidomicosis diagnosticados en el Hospital de Pediatría Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan entre los años 2000 y 2010. Casos clínicos. Se presentan los casos de 4 pacientes previamente sanos procedentes del norte argentino con paracoccidioidomicosis diseminada juvenil y diagnóstico confirmatorio anatomopatológico o microbiológico. Conclusiones. La paracoccidioidomicosis debe ser considerada dentro de los diagnósticos diferenciales en niños con síndrome febril y compromiso linfoganglionar, acompañado por anemia, hipereosinofilia e hipergammaglobulinemia, procedentes de áreas endémicas del país (AU)

Background. Paracoccidioidomycosis is the most frequent systemic mycosis in Latin America, caused by the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides. Paracoccidioidomycosis in children is uncommon. Our aim is to describe clinical features of patients who had a confirmed diagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis in our hospital in the last 10 years. Case reports. We describe 4 cases of paracoccidioidomycosis in previously healthy children from the north of our country. Diagnoses were made by biopsy or culture. Conclusions. The diagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis should be considered in a patient coming from regions where Paracoccidioides is endemic, and presenting with a lymphoproliferative syndrome, anemia, eosinophilia and hypergammaglobulinemia (AU)

DOSE RESPONSE EFFECT OF Paracoccidioides brasiliensis IN AN EXPERIMENTAL MODEL OF ARTHRITIS / Efeito da dose resposta de Paracoccidioides brasiliensis no modelo experimental de artrite

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is caused by the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb) and corresponds to prevalent systemic mycosis in Latin America. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the dose response effect of the fungal yeast phase for the standardization of an experimental model of septic arthritis. The experiments were performed with groups of 14 rats that received doses of 103, 104 or 105 P. brasiliensis (Pb18) cells. The fungi were injected in 50 µL of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) directly into the knee joints of the animals. The following parameters were analyzed in this work: the formation of swelling in knees infused with yeast cells and the radiological and anatomopathological alterations, besides antibody titer by ELISA. After 15 days of infection, signs of inflammation were evident. At 45 days, some features of damage and necrosis were observed in the articular cartilage. The systemic dissemination of the fungus was observed in 11% of the inoculated animals, and it was concluded that the experimental model is able to mimic articular PCM in humans and that the dose of 105 yeast cells can be used as standard in this model.

A paracoccidioidomicose (PCM) é causada pelo fungo dimórfico Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb) e corresponde à micose sistêmica de maior prevalência na América Latina. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a dose resposta de leveduras do fungo para padronização do modelo experimental de artrite séptica. Os experimentos foram realizados com grupos de 14 ratos que receberam doses de 103, 104 ou 105 células de P. brasiliensis (Pb18). Os fungos foram injetados em 50 µL de solução salina em tampão fosfatado (PBS) diretamente na articulação do joelho dos animais. Os seguintes parâmetros foram analisados neste trabalho: a formação de edema nos joelhos infundidos com as células das leveduras e alterações radiológicas, anatopalógicas além de titulação de anticorpos por Elisa. Após 15 dias de infecção, os sinais de inflamação foram evidentes. Aos 45 dias, algumas características de dano e necrose foram observadas na cartilagem articular. A disseminação sistêmica do fungo foi observada em 11% dos animais inoculados, concluiu-se que o modelo experimental é capaz de mimetizar a PCM articular em humanos e que a dose de 105 leveduras representa a dose padrão para o desenvolvimento do modelo.

The left lung is preferentially targeted during experimental paracoccidioidomycosis in C57BL/6 mice

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a chronic systemic mycosis caused by the inhalation of the thermally dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis as well as the recently described P. lutzii. Because the primary infection occurs in the lungs, we investigated the differential involvement of the right and left lungs in experimental P. brasiliensis infection. Lungs were collected from C57BL/6 mice at 70 days after intravenous infection with 1×106 yeast cells of a virulent strain of P. brasiliensis (Pb18). The left lung, which in mice is smaller and has fewer lobes than the right lung, yielded increased fungal recovery associated with a predominant interleukin-4 response and diminished synthesis of interferon-γ and nitric oxide compared with the right lung. Our data indicate differential involvement of the right and left lungs during experimental PCM. This knowledge emphasizes the need for an accurate, standardized protocol for tissue collection during studies of experimental P. brasiliensis infection, since experiments using the same lungs favor the collection of comparable data among different mice.

Cryptic species of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis: impact on paracoccidioidomycosis immunodiagnosis

We aimed to evaluate whether the occurrence of cryptic species of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, S1, PS2, PS3 and Paracoccidioides lutzii, has implications in the immunodiagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM). Small quantities of the antigen gp43 were found in culture filtrates of P. lutzii strains and this molecule appeared to be more variable within P. lutzii because the synonymous-nonsynonymous mutation rate was lower, indicating an evolutionary process different from that of the remaining genotypes. The production of gp43 also varied between isolates belonging to the same species, indicating that speciation events are important, but not sufficient to fully explain the diversity in the production of this antigen. The culture filtrate antigen AgEpm83, which was obtained from a PS3 isolate, showed large quantities of gp43 and reactivity by immunodiffusion assays, similar to the standard antigen (AgB-339) from an S1 isolate. Furthermore, AgEpm83 was capable of serologically differentiating five serum samples from patients from the Botucatu and Jundiaí regions. These patients had confirmed PCM but, were non-reactive to the standard antigen, thus demonstrating an alternative for serological diagnosis in regions in which S1 and PS2 occur. We also emphasise that it is not advisable to use a single antigen preparation to diagnose PCM, a disease that is caused by highly diverse pathogens.

Las micosis en Venezuela: casuística de los Grupos de Trabajo en Micología (1984-2010) / Mycoses In Venezuela: working Groups in Mycology Reported Cases (1984–2010)

Antecedentes. En 1984 se crearon los Grupos de Trabajo en Micología de Venezuela (GTMV), proporcionando un abordaje novedoso al estudio de las micosis, en especial las micosis endémicas. Objetivos. Conocer los aportes en el estudio sistemático de las micosis en Venezuela durante 26 años de labor de los GTMV. Métodos. Se realizó revisión de la casuística publicada por los GTMV en el Boletín Informativo Las Micosis en Venezuela desde 1984 hasta 2010. Resultados. Se obtuvieron 36.968 diagnósticos de micosis superficiales, 1.989 de profundas sistémicas y 822 de profundas localizadas. La dermatofitosis fue la patología superficial más frecuente, paracoccidioidomicosis e histoplasmosis las profundas sistémicas, y cromoblastomicosis la profunda localizada. Se realizó la distribución geográfica de los casos de micosis profundas, pudiendo delimitar las zonas endémicas. Discusión. Las micosis superficiales constituyen un problema de salud pública por su alta morbilidad y pueden ser responsables de epidemias en grupos de riesgo. La paracoccidioidomicosis y la histoplamosis se reportaron con mayor frecuencia, incluso antes de haberse conformado los GTMV. El número de cromoblastomicosis y esporotricosis en Venezuela supera a lo reportado en otros países. Los GTMV han contribuido al conocimiento de la incidencia y prevalencia las micosis en el país, además de su divulgación como problema de salud pública, siendo un aporte invaluable que debe mantenerse en el tiempo, tratando no solo de reportar la casuística anual, sino también detallar aspectos clínico-epidemiológicos que permitan realizar seguimiento de la evolución de estas patologías(AU)

Background. In 1984 the Venezuelan Work Groups in Mycology (VWGM) were created introducing an innovative approach to the study of the mycoses in Venezuela. Aim. To study the occurrence of the mycoses in Venezuela. Methods. Review the reported cases of mycoses by the newsletter Boletín Informativo Las Micosis en Venezuela (VWGM) from 1984 to 2010. Results. The data collected showed 36,968 reported cases of superficial mycoses, 1,989 of deep systemic cases, and 822 of localized mycoses. Pityriasis dermatophytosis was the most common superficial infection, and paracoccidioidomycosis and histoplasmosis the most frequent deep systemic infection. Chromoblastomycosis was the most frequently diagnosed subcutaneous infection. The data provided showed the distribution by geographical area for each of the fungal infections studied, which may help to establish the endemic areas. Discussion. Superficial mycosis is a public health problem due to its high morbidity and is probably responsible for some of the outbreaks in high-risk groups. Paracoccidioidomycosis and histoplasmosis were reported more often, which agrees with earlier reports prior to the formation of the VWGM. Cases of sporotrichosis and chromoblastomycosis in Venezuela can be considered unique due to the high number of cases. This study highlights the contribution of the VWGM to the behavior of the mycoses in Venezuela, its incidence, prevalence, and the recognition of these infections as a problem of public health importance. The VWGM should keep working in this endeavor, not only reporting new cases, but also unifying the clinical and epidemiological criteria, in order to properly monitor the evolving epidemiological changes reported in these types of infections(AU)

Effect of Helium-Neon (HeNe) laser irradiacation on lesions in experimental paracoccidioidomycosis

Cutaneous lesions caused by the fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis lead to ulcerative wounds, which are difficult to be cured by conventional treatment with anti-fungal drugs due to their adverse effects and the multidrug resistance that some fungal isolates present. So, the laser therapy emerges as an alternative treatment since its anti-inflammatory effects and wound healing properties are already known. In this work, we showed that lesions caused by the inoculation of yeast cells into the back foot-pad of BALB/c mice and treated with HeNe laser present greater histologic organization, milder inflammatory infiltrate, higher organization of the granulation tissue around the lesion, and enhanced immunolabeling for iNOS. In addition, an increased SOD activity and NO concentration, higher percentage of macrophages, and lower neutrophil numbers were observed. The percentage of NK and NKT cells were also slightly higher after the first laser session. Altogether these results point towards a dual effect of the laser treatment, decreasing the inflammatory response and accelerating the wound healing of the lesions. In this sense, the HeNe laser can be considered as an effective adjunctive treatment to be combined with pharmacologic therapies for Effect of Helium-Neon (HeNe) laser irradiation on lesions in experimental paracoccidioidomycosis improving the treatment of painful non-healing paracoccidioidomycotic wounds.

Paracoccidioidomicose cutânea disseminada e pulmonar em paciente portador de neoplasia maligna visceral / Cutaneous and pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis in a patient with a malignant visceral tumor

Paracoccidioidomicose é doença causada pelo fungo Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, caracterizada por quadro polimórfico e acometimento preferencial de pele, mucosas, pulmões, linfonodos, adrenais e sistema nervoso. De acordo com o local de inoculação e o estado imunológico do indivíduo, ocorrem as diversas formas da doença: tegumentar, linfonodular, visceral e mista. Relatamos caso de paciente com quadro de paracoccidioidomicose mista (tegumentar e pulmonar), com lesões cutâneas caracterizadas por pápulas e pústulas disseminadas e sintomas sistêmicos, possivelmente associada a imunossupressão causada por neoplasia maligna visceral.

Paracoccidioidomycosis is a systemic mycosis caused by the fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis that is characterized by polymorphous clinical manifestations principally affecting the skin, mucous membranes, lungs, lymph nodes, adrenal glands and the central nervous system. Depending on the site of inoculation and the individual's immunological status, the disease may take various different forms, affecting the skin, lymph nodes, viscera or a combination of these. The present report describes a patient with extensive cutaneous and pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis, with disseminated papules and pustules, fever and pulmonary symptoms, probably related to immunosuppression caused by a renal carcinoma.