Acta Trop 2017 Jun 9. Epub 2017 Jun 9.

Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista, Distrito de Rubião Junior s/n, 18618-970, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis caused by fungi from the genus Paracoccidioides in Latin America. PCM-patients (PCM-p) are classified as having acute/subacute or chronic (CF) clinical forms. CF is responsible for 75% - 90% of all cases, affects mainly adults over 30 years old and the clinical manifestation are associated mainly with lungs and mucosa of upper airdigestive tract. Read More

Mycopathologia 2017 Jun 9. Epub 2017 Jun 9.

Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Prof. Lineu Prestes, 580, Bloco 17, São Paulo, CEP: 05508-900, Brazil.

Paracoccidioidomycosis is a systemic mycosis of deep nature that primarily affects the lung and can spread via lymphatic and hematogenous to other organs and tissues. It is mainly caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis fungus which exhibits thermal dimorphism. The innate immune system mediated by macrophages is extremely important for the control of infection and is involved in the induction and regulation of immune/inflammatory response. Read More

Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2017 Jun 1;59:e36. Epub 2017 Jun 1.

Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Serviço de Dermatologia, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

This study reports two cases of chronic paracoccidioidomycosis with sarcoid-like cutaneous lesions. The patients began the treatment in 2013 at Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho (HUCFF) of the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). The first case (mild form) was treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (8 mg /kg per day, orally) for three months and, then, with half the dose for nine months; the second (moderate form), with itraconazole (200 mg per day, orally) for 12 months. Read More

Methods Mol Biol 2017 ;1625:213-224

Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida dos Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brasil.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) represents the most frequent systemic mycosis in Latin American. The disease is caused by the pathogenic thermally dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, and is initially characterized by pulmonary lesions, which can subsequently disseminate to other organs, resulting in secondary injuries. Although its high incidence, there is no commercially available vaccine against fungal diseases. Read More

Methods Mol Biol 2017 ;1625:159-167

Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular e Bioagentes Patogênicos, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes 3900, São Paulo, SP, 14049-900, Brazil.

Adjuvants and immunomodulatory molecules could be included in the treatment of P. brasiliensis infection. In this context, we reported that the therapeutic and/or prophylactic administration of Th1-inducing agents, such as immunomodulatory lectins and adjuvants, was able to provide protection against experimental paracoccidioidomycosis. Read More

Methods Mol Biol 2017 ;1625:113-128

Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Botucatu 862, 8th floor, São Paulo, 04021-001, Brazil.

The chapter reviews methods utilized for the isolation and characterization of a promising immunogen candidate, aiming at a human vaccine against paracoccidioidomycosis. Peptide P10 carries a T-CD4+ epitope and was identified as an internal sequence of the major diagnostic antigen known as gp43 glycoprotein. It successfully treated massive intratracheal infections by virulent Paracoccidioides brasiliensis in combination with chemotherapy. Read More

Methods Mol Biol 2017 ;1625:85-96

Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil.

The conventional treatment for fungal diseases usually shows long periods of therapy and the high frequency of relapses and sequels. New strategies of the treatment are necessary. We have shown that the Mycobacterium leprae HSP65 gene can be successfully used as therapy against murine Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM). Read More

Methods Mol Biol 2017 ;1625:3-21

Centro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia Nuclear (CDTN), Rua Professor Mário Werneck S/N°, Cidade Universitária-Campus da UFMG, 31120-970, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is the agent of paracoccidioidomycosis, the most prevalent mycosis in Latin America, and currently there is no effective vaccine. The present chapter describes the methodology to obtain radioattenuated yeast cells of P. brasiliensis and a protocol to evaluate protective response elicited by this immunogen in experimental paracoccidioidomycosis. Read More

Surg Neurol Int 2017 10;8:76. Epub 2017 May 10.

Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo State, São Paulo, Brazil.

Background: Paracoccidioidomycosis is a systemic mycosis of significant importance in some Latin American countries. The widespread use of neuroimaging methods has shown that involvement of the central nervous system was more frequent than previously reported. The most common form of occurrence of neuroparacoccidioidomycosis is the pseudotumoral one. Read More

Rev Iberoam Micol 2017 Jun 2. Epub 2017 Jun 2.

National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, INI/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. Electronic address:

Background: Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis of acute and chronic evolution, caused by species belonging to the genus Paracoccidioides. It is considered the most prevalent systemic endemic mycosis in Latin America, with cases in the tropical and subtropical regions. Residual PCM refers to the fibrotic scar sequelae resulting from the disease treatment which, when associated with collagen accumulation, leads to functional and anatomic alterations in the organs. Read More

Mycopathologia 2017 Jun 2. Epub 2017 Jun 2.

Department of Inpatient Health Care, Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a neglected systemic mycosis endemic to Latin America caused by dimorphic fungi of the genus Paracoccidioides. The acute juvenile PCM is a severe type of presentation that usually affects young vulnerable patients and rarely progresses to portal hypertension. Here, two cases of liver disease and portal hypertension as complications of acute juvenile PCM are reported. Read More

Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2017 Mar-Apr;50(2):273-276

Disciplina de Dermatologia, Curso de Medicina, Universidade Nove de Julho, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.

Clinical presentation of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) can be diverse. Morphology and quantity of skin lesions depends on interactions between host immunity and fungus virulence. Diagnosis can be a challenge considering that this fungus has low virulence and some individuals have immunity to microorganism, which results in well-marked granulomas without visible microorganisms. Read More

Mediators Inflamm 2017 2;2017:5313691. Epub 2017 May 2.

Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, GTO, Mexico.

Paracoccidioides spp. are dimorphic fungal pathogens responsible for one of the most relevant systemic mycoses in Latin America, paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM). Their exact ecological niche remains unknown; however, they have been isolated from soil samples and armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus), which have been proposed as animal reservoir for these fungi. Read More

Mycopathologia 2017 May 25. Epub 2017 May 25.

Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Sembaru, Nishihara-cho, Nakagusuku-gun, Okinawa, 903-0213, Japan.

"Paracoccidioidomycosis ceti" is a rare zoonotic fungal infection affecting dolphins and is endemic worldwide. The causative agents are Paracoccidioides species; however, it is impossible to isolate the fungal species. We isolated Trichosporon asteroides from multifocal, irregularly raised skin lesions on a female bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) captured off coast of Japan, which was suspected to have "paracoccidioidomycosis ceti. Read More

Int J Biol Macromol 2017 May 22;103:683-691. Epub 2017 May 22.

Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Goiás, 74001-970 Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.

The dimorphic fungi Paracoccidioides spp. are the etiological agents of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), a prevalent systemic mycosis in Latin America. The Paracoccidioides lutzii response to oxidative stress is largely unexplored. Read More

Dermatol Online J 2017 Apr 15;23(4). Epub 2017 Apr 15.

Department of Diagnosis and Surgery, Araraquara Dental School, UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil.

We report a rare case of chronic paracoccidioidomycosis(PCM) in a woman with Crohn disease in the setting of treatment with azathioprine and mesalazine. Serum tests for antigens to Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, Histoplasma capsulatum, and Aspergillus fumigatus were negative. An incisional biopsy of an oral lesion with periodic acid-schiff and Grocott-methenamine silver stains revealed chronic granulomatous inflammation with multinucleated giant cells with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis within the cytoplasm, confirming the diagnosis of PCM. Read More

Mycopathologia 2017 May 18. Epub 2017 May 18.

Departamento de Ciências Patológicas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Campus Universitário, Londrina, Paraná, 86057-970, Brazil.

Paracoccidioidomycosis is a systemic mycosis prevalent in Latin American countries, caused by the dimorphic fungi Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and P. lutzii. The habitat of these fungi in nature remains undefined, although it is believed that infection occurs by inhalation of infective propagules present in soil. Read More

Am J Trop Med Hyg 2017 May;96(5):1136-1138

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital de Clínicas, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Brazil.

AbstractParacoccidioidomycosis is a systemic mycosis caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. It occurs more frequently in its chronic form, which particularly affects male adults from rural areas. These patients present with pulmonary involvement and systemic symptoms. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017 May 10;11(5):e0005601. Epub 2017 May 10.

Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.

Background: Eosinophilia is a typical finding of the acute/juvenile form of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), a systemic mycosis endemic in Latin America. This clinical form is characterized by depressed cellular immune response and production of Th2 cytokines. Moreover, it has been shown that the increased number of eosinophils in peripheral blood of patients returns to normal values after antifungal treatment. Read More

Rev Gastroenterol Peru 2017 Jan-Mar;37(1):77-81

Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza. Lima, Perú.

Paracoccidioidomycosis is the most prevalent mycosis in South America. Mucocutaneous and lymph node involvement is the most frequent affectation of this disease in our country, with the intestinal commitment rarely reported. We report 4 cases of colonic manifestation with abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, and weight loss. Read More

Biomed Rep 2017 Mar 26;6(3):353-357. Epub 2017 Jan 26.

Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, São Paulo 14800-901, Brazil.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs (length, 19-24 nucleotides) that regulate gene expression by either mRNA degradation or translational inhibition of proteins. Circulating miRNAs, which are extremely stable and protected from RNAse-mediated degradation in body fluids, have appeared as candidate biomarkers for numerous diseases. However, little is known about circulating miRNAs in fungal infections. Read More

Mycoses 2017 Apr 19. Epub 2017 Apr 19.

Department of Clinical Pathology and Surgery, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a rare fungal infection in the world, but endemic and acquired exclusively in Latin America, with the highest prevalence in South America and Brazil, particularly. Changes in oral cavity are common and constitute the first clinical manifestation in many patients. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of oral PCM and analyse the profile of the disease and patients. Read More

Braz J Med Biol Res 2017 Apr 3;50(4):e5928. Epub 2017 Apr 3.

Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Filosofia Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil.

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and P. lutzii are fungi that cause paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), the most prevalent systemic mycosis in South America. For serological diagnosis, although 43-kDa glycoprotein (gp43) is regarded as highly specific for PCM, the occurrence of false negative reactions in sera from patients infected with P. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017 Mar 29;11(3):e0005500. Epub 2017 Mar 29.

Infectious Dermatology Clinical Research Laboratory, Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Background: Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis caused by pathogenic dimorphic fungi of the genus Paracoccidioides. It is the most important systemic mycosis in Latin America and the leading cause of hospitalizations and death among them in Brazil. Acute PCM is less frequent but relevant because vulnerable young patients are affected and the severity is usually higher than that of the chronic type. Read More

Lasers Med Sci 2017 May 27;32(4):921-930. Epub 2017 Mar 27.

Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL-MG), Alfenas, MG, Brazil.

The antifungal drug therapy often employed to treat paracoccidiodomycosis (PCM), an important neglected fungal systemic infection, leads to offensive adverse effects, besides being very long-lasting. In addition, PCM compromises the oral health of patients by leading to oral lesions that are very painful and disabling. In that way, photodynamic therapy (PDT) arises as a new promising adjuvant treatment for inactivating Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb), the responsible fungus for PCM, and also for helping the patients to deal with such debilitating oral lesions. Read More

Mycopathologia 2017 Mar 23. Epub 2017 Mar 23.

Área Micología, Instituto de Medicina Regional, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste-CONICET, Resistencia, Chaco, Argentina.

Paracoccidioidomycosis is an endemic mycosis caused by Paracoccidioides species limited to Latin America arising with the chronic form in 90% of cases. The capacity of microorganisms to form biofilms is considered of great importance medical since can contribute to the persistence and to the chronic state of the diseases. The ability of Paracoccidioides to form biofilm has been demonstrated in vitro. Read More

Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2017 Jan-Feb;50(1):138-140

Departamento de Radiologia e Diagnóstico por Imagem, Hospital Sírio-Libanês, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.

Paracoccidioidomycosis is a granulomatous systemic mycosis that is endemic in Latin America; it is an extremely rare infection following solid organ transplantation. In this study, we describe the first report of disseminated paracoccidioidomycosis in a 3-year-old girl who underwent liver transplantation 2 years previously. The radiologic diagnosis and patient follow-up are described. Read More

Mycopathologia 2017 Mar 21. Epub 2017 Mar 21.

Section of Infectious Diseases, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Ramiro Barcelos 2350, Porto Alegre, RS, 90640-000, Brazil.

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is the etiologic agent of paracoccidioidomycosis, the most prevalent systemic mycosis in Latin America. The morbidity and mortality associated with paracoccidioidomycosis necessitate our understanding of fungal pathogenesis and discovering of new agents to treat this infection. Animal models have contributed much to the knowledge of fungal infections and their corresponding therapeutic treatments. Read More

Mycoses 2017 Jun 10;60(6):402-406. Epub 2017 Mar 10.

Center of Diagnosis in Veterinary Mycology, Department of Veterinary Preventive, Faculty of Veterinary, University Federal of Pelotas (UFPel), Pelotas, RS, Brazil.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis that occurs in several Latin American countries, especially in Brazil. It is caused by the thermo-dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides spp. Serological studies to detect animal infection represent an excellent strategy for data on the agent's ecology. Read More

Int J Antimicrob Agents 2017 Apr 6;49(4):465-471. Epub 2017 Mar 6.

Laboratório de Quimioterapia Antifúngica, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 1374, 05508-900, ICB II, Lab 150, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Electronic address:

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis caused by the dimorphic fungi Paracoccidioides spp. The duration of antifungal treatment ranges from months to years and relapses may nevertheless occur despite protracted therapy. Thus, there remains an urgent need for new therapeutic options. Read More

J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2017 15;23:11. Epub 2017 Feb 15.

Laboratory of Mycosis Immunodiagnosis, Center of Immunology, Adolfo Lutz Institute, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 355, 11o andar, sala 1117 São Paulo, SP Brazil.

Background: Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a neglected systemic mycosis caused by a dimorphic fungus of the Paracoccidioides genus. The standard diagnosis is based on isolation of the fungi in culture, and by microscopic visualization of characteristic multiple budding yeast cells in biological samples. However, in some situations, access to the site of injury prevents the collection of biological material. Read More

Bull Soc Pathol Exot 2017 Feb 11;110(1):80-84. Epub 2017 Feb 11.

Service de parasitologie-mycologie, Hôpital Saint Antoine, 184 rue du Faubourg Saint Antoine, 75012, Paris, France.

Various infectious agents are classical risk factors for cancer including bacteria, viruses and parasites. There is less evidence concerning the implication of fungal infection in carcinogenesis. The role of chronic Candida infection in the development of squamous cell carcinoma has been suspected for years. Read More

Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2017 Feb;112(2):140-145

Universidade Estadual Paulista, Instituto de Biociências de Botucatu, Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Botucatu, SP, Brasil.

Background: Fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) associated with Tyramide Signal Amplification (TSA) using oligonucleotides labeled with non-radioactive fluorophores is a promising technique for detection and differentiation of fungal species in environmental or clinical samples, being suitable for microorganisms which are difficult or even impossible to culture.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to standardise an in situ hybridisation technique for the differentiation between the pathogenic species Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and Paracoccidioides lutzii, by using species-specific DNA probes targeting the internal transcribed spacer-1 (ITS-1) of the rRNA gene.

Methods: Yeast and mycelial phase of each Paracoccidioides species, were tested by two different detection/differentiation techniques: TSA-FISH for P. Read More

Fungal Genet Biol 2017 Mar 16;100:22-32. Epub 2017 Jan 16.

Cellular and Molecular Biology Unit, Corporación para Investigaciones Biológicas, Medellín, Colombia; School of Microbiology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia; MICROBA Research Group, School of Microbiology, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia. Electronic address:

Dimorphic human pathogenic fungi interact with host effector cells resisting their microbicidal mechanisms. Yeast cells are able of surviving within the tough environment of the phagolysosome by expressing an antioxidant defense system that provides protection against host-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS). This includes the production of catalases (CATs). Read More

J Antibiot (Tokyo) 2017 Mar 11;70(3):277-284. Epub 2017 Jan 11.

Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, MG, Brazil.

Paracoccidioidomycosis is the most prevalent systemic mycosis in Latin America, yet few therapeutic options exist. Our aim was to search for new compounds with high efficacy, low toxicity, shorter treatment time and affordable cost. We studied two synthetic 6-quinolinyl chalcones, 3b and 3e, to determine their effects on VERO cells, antifungal activity, survival curve, interaction with other drugs and phenotypic effects against several isolates of Paracoccidioides spp. Read More

Front Pharmacol 2016 23;7:509. Epub 2016 Dec 23.

Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Câmpus Araraquara, São Paulo Brasil.

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and Paracoccidioides lutzii are dimorphic fungi and are the etiological agents of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM). Adhesion is one of the most important steps in infections with Paracoccidioides and is responsible for the differences in the virulence of isolates of these fungi. Because of the importance of adhesion to the establishment of an infection, this study focused on the preliminary development of a new therapeutic strategy to inhibit adhesion by Paracoccidioides, thus inhibiting infection and preventing the disease. Read More

Chest 2017 Jan;151(1):e13-e16

Université Paris-Diderot, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Département de Médecine Interne, Hôpital Bichat-Claude Bernard, Paris, France; Unite INSERM U1149, Paris, France. Electronic address:

A 54-year-old French man was admitted for evaluation of a chronic nodular lesion of the tongue and mandibular lymphadenopathy. He reported active tobacco and cannabis smoking as well as excessive alcohol use. He also reported frequent use of cocaine for several months and a past addiction to IV heroin. Read More

Med Mycol 2017 Jan 3. Epub 2017 Jan 3.

Postgraduate Program in Experimental Pathology, Department of Pathological Sciences - State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small single stranded RNA sequences involved in post-transcriptional regulation of different biological and physiological processes. Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is an infection caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, and it is a major cause of mortality due to systemic mycoses in Brazil. To date, there have been few reports on the role of miRNAs in the immune response against fungi, especially PCM. Read More

Transpl Infect Dis 2017 Apr 6;19(2). Epub 2017 Mar 6.

Kidney Transplant Unit, Department of Transplantation, Instituto de Nefrología/Nephrology, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is the cause of paracoccidioidomycosis, one of the most important systemic mycoses in Latin America. Human disease has been observed in a limited geographic and ecological niche, and it is attributed to exposure to the fungus in soil. Most primary infections are subclinical, as the infection is contained by the host mainly through cell-mediated immune response. Read More

Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther 2017 Mar 21;17:160-163. Epub 2016 Dec 21.

Department of Clinic and Surgery, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Alfenas, Rua Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, 700-Alfenas, MG, 37130-000, Brazil. Electronic address:

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic disease caused by the dimorphic fungus Paracocdioides brasiliensis. The infection primarily reaches the lungs by the inhalation of fungi spores and later can disseminate to other organs causing secondary oral lesions. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), on the other hand, is an autoimmune chronic inflammatory disease that affects various organ systems, including skin and oral cavity. Read More

Med Microbiol Immunol 2017 Apr 19;206(2):149-156. Epub 2016 Dec 19.

Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Escola Paulista de Medicina - Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Botucatu, 862 - Ed. Antônio C. M. Paiva - 6 andar, São Paulo, SP, 04023-062, Brazil.

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is one of the etiological agents of the human systemic mycosis paracoccidioidomycosis. Protease-activated receptors (PARs) are expressed in many cell types and comprise a family of G protein-coupled receptors (PAR-1, PAR-2, and PAR-4), which may be activated by proteases secreted by several pathogens. In the present study, we showed that the pathogenic fungus P. Read More

Med Mycol Case Rep 2016 Dec 2;14:12-16. Epub 2016 Dec 2.

Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.

Paracoccidioidomycosis is a systemic fungal infection caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and endemic in certain areas of Central and South America. We report a case of a 62-year-old-man with a complex history of tuberculosis and imaging findings of a cerebral lesion and bilateral adrenal enlargement. Biopsy of adrenal gland revealed Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Read More

PLoS Pathog 2016 Dec 19;12(12):e1006115. Epub 2016 Dec 19.

Departamento de Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), considered critical for immunity against viruses, were recently associated with defense mechanisms against fungal infections. However, the immunomodulatory function of pDCs in pulmonary paracoccidiodomycosis (PCM), an endemic fungal infection of Latin America, has been poorly defined. Here, we investigated the role of pDCs in the pathogenesis of PCM caused by the infection of 129Sv mice with 1 x 106 P. Read More

PLoS One 2016 16;11(12):e0168810. Epub 2016 Dec 16.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone. Read More

Am J Trop Med Hyg 2017 Feb 28;96(2):368-372. Epub 2016 Nov 28.

Infectious Diseases Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Triângulo Mineiro Federal University, Uberaba, Brazil.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is endemic to Latin America, where 10 million people may be infected with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis/Paracoccidioides lutzii and 1,600,000 individuals live with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. An epidemiological overlapping of these infections occurred early in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome era with nearly 180 published cases. This study presents epidemiological, clinical, and outcome profiles for 31 PCM patients with HIV infection diagnosed in a teaching hospital in Brazil, and includes an update of previously reported cases. Read More

Yeast 2017 Apr 26;34(4):179-188. Epub 2017 Jan 26.

Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, ICBII, Campus II, Universidade Federal de Goiás, 74001-970, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.

The genus Paracoccidioides is composed of thermal dimorphic fungi, causative agents of paracoccidioidomycosis, one of the most frequent systemic mycoses in Latin America. Mitochondria have sophisticated machinery for ATP production, which involves metabolic pathways such as citric acid and glyoxylate cycles, electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation. In addition, this organelle performs a variety of functions in the cell, working as an exceptional metabolic signalling centre that contributes to cellular stress responses, as autophagy and apoptosis in eukaryotic organisms. Read More

Emerg Infect Dis 2016 Dec;22(12):2063-2069

Cutaneous granulomas in dolphins were believed to be caused by Lacazia loboi, which also causes a similar disease in humans. This hypothesis was recently challenged by reports that fungal DNA sequences from dolphins grouped this pathogen with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. We conducted phylogenetic analysis of fungi from 6 bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) with cutaneous granulomas and chains of yeast cells in infected tissues. Read More

Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2016 Nov 3;58:77. Epub 2016 Nov 3.

São Paulo State Health Secretariat, Tuberculosis Control Division, Epidemiological Surveillance Center, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

The aim of this retrospective study was to review all the notified cases of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in São Paulo State (Brazil), as well as to describe and discuss the clinical, microbiological and radiologic aspects in a single reference center, within the same state, from 2000 to 2012. There were 1,097 notifications of MDR-TB in São Paulo State over this period, 70% affecting men aged on average 38 years (10-77). There was a significant fall in the MDR-TB mortality rate from 30% to 8% (2000-2003 versus 2009-2012). Read More

Mycopathologia 2017 Apr 18;182(3-4):425-434. Epub 2016 Oct 18.

Laboratory of Applied Immunology, Department of Pathological Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is an endemic disease of humans from Latin America that is caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and P. lutzii, with most cases of PCM in domestic animals being associated with P. brasiliensis. Read More

PLoS One 2016 13;11(10):e0164745. Epub 2016 Oct 13.

Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.

T cell maturation takes place within the thymus, a primary lymphoid organ that is commonly targeted during infections. Previous studies showed that acute infection with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb), the causative agent of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), promotes thymic atrophy that is associated with the presence of yeast cells in the organ. However, as human PCM is a chronic infection, it is imperative to investigate the consequences of Pb infection over the thymic structure and function in chronic infection. Read More