Paracoccidioidomycosis: Current Status and Future Trends
Rosane Christine Hahn, Ferry Hagen, Rinaldo Pôncio Mendes, Eva Burger, Andréia Ferreira Nery, Nathan Pereira Siqueira, Armando Guevara, Anderson Messias Rodrigues, Zoilo Pires dè Camargo
Abstract
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.