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Braz J Microbiol 2021 Jun 19. Epub 2021 Jun 19.

Unidade Universitária de Itapuranga, Câmpus Cora Coralina, Instituto Acadêmico de Ciências da Saúde e Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Goiás, Itapuranga, Goiás, Brazil.

The fungus Paracoccidioides lutzii is one of the species of the Paracoccidioides genus, responsible for a neglected human mycosis, endemic in Latin America, the paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM). In order to survive in the host, the fungus overcomes a hostile environment under low levels of oxygen (hypoxia) during the infectious process. The hypoxia adaptation mechanisms are variable among human pathogenic fungi and worthy to be investigated in Paracoccidoides spp. Read More

iScience 2021 Jun 18;24(6):102548. Epub 2021 May 18.

Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.

The recognition of fungi by intracellular NOD-like receptors (NLRs) induces inflammasome assembly and activation. Although the NLRC4 inflammasome has been extensively studied in bacterial infections, its role during fungal infections is unclear. Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a pathogenic fungal disease caused by . Read More

PLoS One 2021 10;16(6):e0251783. Epub 2021 Jun 10.

Medical School, Sao Paulo State University Julio de Mesquita Filho, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.

In this work, we aimed to develop an automatic algorithm for the quantification of total volume and lung impairments in four different diseases. The quantification was completely automatic based upon high resolution computed tomography exams. The algorithm was capable of measuring volume and differentiating pulmonary involvement including inflammatory process and fibrosis, emphysema, and ground-glass opacities. Read More

J Fungi (Basel) 2021 May 26;7(6). Epub 2021 May 26.

Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), caused by the species, is a systemic disease endemic in several Latin American countries, mainly in Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, and Venezuela. Current treatment approaches are challenging as they require prolonged durations of antifungal drugs that have potential toxicities, and despite antifungals, relapses are common. Hence, new therapeutic approaches, such as vaccines, are being investigated. Read More

Diagnostics (Basel) 2021 May 10;11(5). Epub 2021 May 10.

Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Kansas, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA.

Endemic mycoses including , , , , and are dimorphic fungi that can cause a variety of clinical manifestations, including respiratory infections. Their pulmonary presentations are variable, and diagnosis is often delayed as they can mimic other infectious and non-infectious causes of pulmonary disease. Delay in diagnosis can lead to unnecessary antibiotic use, repeat hospitalizations, and increased morbidity and mortality. Read More

J Biomol Struct Dyn 2021 Jun 1:1-13. Epub 2021 Jun 1.

Molecular Biology Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Brazil.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis, endemic in Latin America, caused by fungi of the genus . The treatment of PCM is complex, requiring a long treatment period, which often results in serious side effects. The aim of this study was to screen for inhibitors of a specific target of the fungus that is absent in humans. Read More

Front Immunol 2021 11;12:670992. Epub 2021 May 11.

Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is an endemic mycosis in Latin America caused by the thermodimorphic fungi of the genus  spp. (PL) is one of the 5 species that constitute the genus. PL expresses low amounts of glycoprotein (Gp) 43 (PLGp43) and PLGp43 displays few epitopes in common with the (PB) immunodominant antigen PBGp43, which is commonly used for serological diagnosis of PCM. Read More

Stem Cell Rev Rep 2021 May 18. Epub 2021 May 18.

Department of Pathology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.

Multiple infectious diseases lead to impaired lung function. Revealing the cellular mechanisms involved in this impairment is crucial for the understanding of how the lungs shift from a physiologic to a pathologic state in each specific condition. In this context, we explored the pathogenesis of Paracoccidioidomycosis, which affects pulmonary functioning. Read More

Future Microbiol 2021 May 17;16:589-606. Epub 2021 May 17.

Department of Cellular & Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto (FMRP), University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900, Brazil.

To predict glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins in the genome of and . Five different bioinformatics tools were used for predicting GPI-anchored proteins; we considered as GPI-anchored proteins those detected by at least two analysis methods. We also performed the proteomic analysis of cell wall by mass spectrometry. Read More

JAAD Case Rep 2021 May 26;11:127-129. Epub 2021 Mar 26.

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

J Ethnopharmacol 2021 Sep 12;277:114181. Epub 2021 May 12.

Federal University of Alfenas - UNIFAL. Alfenas, MG, Brazil. Electronic address:

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis with high prevalence in South America and especially in Brazil with severe clinical consequences that need broadened therapeutic options. Propolis is a natural resin from bees used in folk medicine for centuries with the first report in the ancient history of Egypt by Eberly papyrus, in Middle-Ages used to wash the newborn's umbilical cord and World War II as antiseptic or antibiotics. Nowadays it is a natural product worldwide consumed as food and traditionally used for oral and systemic diseases as an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, and other diseases. Read More

Int J Infect Dis 2021 Jun 12;107:284-290. Epub 2021 May 12.

Júlio Muller University Hospital, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil; Laboratory of Mycology/Research, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Electronic address:

Objectives: Historically, the Brazilian Central-West region has had high numbers of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) cases caused by the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides lutzii.

Methods: This epidemiological, observational, analytical, cross-sectional study was performed to investigate the clinical and laboratory data of 44 PCM patients with a culture-proven P. lutzii infection. Read More

Curr Microbiol 2021 Jul 13;78(7):2608-2614. Epub 2021 May 13.

State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is caused by the fungi Paracoccidioides spp. The main antigens recognized by IgE are known for P. brasiliensis species complex, but not for P. Read More

Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2021 28;54:e0115 2021. Epub 2021 Apr 28.

Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Departamento de Radiologia, Campinas, SP, Brasil.

Front Immunol 2021 16;12:630938. Epub 2021 Apr 16.

Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

In agreement with other fungal infections, immunoprotection in pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is mediated by Th1/Th17 cells whereas disease progression by prevalent Th2/Th9 immunity. Treg cells play a dual role, suppressing immunity but also controlling excessive tissue inflammation. Our recent studies have demonstrated that the enzyme indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO) and the transcription factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) play an important role in the immunoregulation of PCM. Read More

Mycoses 2021 Apr 8. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Júlio Muller University Hospital, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil.

Background: PCM is a neglected systemic mycosis endemic in Brazil. The middle-west region of Brazil has shown the highest number of PCM by Paracoccidioides lutzii (P lutzii) cases. Differentiating cases of severe PCM from non-severe ones should be a concern at the bedside. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021 Apr 7;15(4):e0009317. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Laboratório de Biociência (LaBio), Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Alimentos e Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

Background: Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic and endemic fungal infection in Latin American, mainly in Brazil. The majority of PCM cases occur in large areas in Brazil, comprising the South, Southeast and Midwest regions, with the latter demonstrating a higher incidence of the species Paracoccidioides lutzii.

Methodology And Main Findings: This study presents clinical, molecular and serological data of thirteen new PCM cases during 2016 to 2019 from the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, located in the Midwest region, Brazil. Read More

J Fungi (Basel) 2021 Mar 10;7(3). Epub 2021 Mar 10.

Departament of Infectious Diseases, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05403-000, Brazil.

We investigated the in vitro effects of two antigens on monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs) from patients with paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM). MoDCs from patients with active or treated PCM and non-PCM subjects were generated, stimulated with TNF-α, and antigens, 43 kDa glycoprotein (gp43) and cell-free antigen (CFA), and analyzed by flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Our data revealed that patients with PCM had a high frequency of HLA-DR cells, but the treated group had more CD86 cells with increased IL-12p40. Read More

Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021 16;11:622899. Epub 2021 Mar 16.

Molecular Pathology Graduation Course, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil.

The earliest interaction between macrophages and is particularly important in paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) progression, and surface proteins play a central role in this process. The present study investigated the contribution of β2 integrin in -macrophage interaction and PCM progression. We infected β2-low expression (CD18) and wild type (WT) mice with 18. Read More

Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2021 26;116:e200592. Epub 2021 Mar 26.

Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Laboratório de Micologia Clínica, Araraquara, SP, Brasil.

Background: Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis with high prevalence in Latin America that is caused by thermodimorphic fungal species of the Paracoccidioides genus.

Objectives: In this study, we used quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to investigate the expression of genes related to the virulence of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb18) and P. lutzii (Pb01) strains in their mycelial (M) and yeast (Y) forms after contact with alveolar macrophages (AMJ2-C11 cell line) and fibroblasts (MRC-5 cell line). Read More

Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2021 24;63:e22. Epub 2021 Mar 24.

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina: Ciências Médicas, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Rev Iberoam Micol 2021 Mar 25. Epub 2021 Mar 25.

Tropical Medicine Post-Graduate Program - Amazonas State University/Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado Tropical Medicine Foundation, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil; Leônidas and Maria Deane Institute [ILMD], Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.

Background: Pulmonary mycoses resemble clinically and radiologically chronic pulmonary tuberculosis. Studies describing the prevalence, etiology and clinical features of pulmonary mycosis are of crucial importance in the Brazilian Amazon.

Aims: To estimate the frequency of pulmonary mycoses in smear-negative tuberculosis patients; to describe their demographic, epidemiological, and clinical characteristics; and to evaluate diagnostic methods. Read More

An Bras Dermatol 2021 May-Jun;96(3):346-348. Epub 2021 Mar 15.

Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, SP, Brazil. Electronic address:

Paracoccidioidomycosis is an endemic systemic mycosis caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis complex and P. lutzii. It is a rare disease in non-HIV-induced immunosuppressed individuals. Read More

Microb Pathog 2021 May 23;154:104864. Epub 2021 Mar 23.

Laboratório de Imunidade Natural (LIN), Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil. Electronic address:

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic fungal disease caused by Paracoccidioides spp., whose clinical outcome depends on immune response. Interleukin 32 (IL-32) is a cytokine present in inflammatory and infectious diseases, including bacterial, virus and protozoan infections. Read More

Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2021 Mar-Apr;87(2):246-248

Department of Dermatology, Lauro de Souza Lima Institute, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil.

Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2021 22;54:e0008-2021. Epub 2021 Mar 22.

Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital das Clinicas, Departamento de Dermatologia, Ambulatório das Manifestações Cutâneas das Imunodeficiências Primárias, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.

We describe the first report of a patient with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis associated with disseminated and recurrent paracoccidioidomycosis. The investigation demonstrated that the patient had a mannose receptor deficiency, which would explain the patient's susceptibility to chronic infection by Candida spp. and systemic infection by paracoccidioidomycosis. Read More

Open Forum Infect Dis 2021 Mar 16;8(3):ofaa624. Epub 2020 Dec 16.

Laboratory of Medical Investigation Units 53 and 56, Division of Clinical Dermatology, Clinics Hospital, and Laboratory of Medical Mycology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Different classifications of paracoccidioidomycosis emerged since its discovery in 1908, culminating in the proposition of a simplified and consensual one in 1987. However, by revisiting these classifications, case reports, or case series from which the authors based their own, we found many patients who did not fit in either the 1987 classification or in the correspondent natural history/pathogenesis view. In this report, the concepts of paracoccidioidomycosis infection, primary pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis (PP-PCM), and other subclinical forms of PCM are reassessed. Read More

Med Mycol Case Rep 2021 Jun 23;32:25-29. Epub 2021 Feb 23.

Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology Division - São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu Medical School, Rubião Júnior S/N, 18618-970, São Paulo, Brazil.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic granulomatous fungal infection rarely associated with solid organ transplantation. We report the second case of PCM in an adult after liver transplantation. A 47-year-old woman who had undergone liver transplantation was hospitalized for flu-like symptoms and multiple erythematous ulcerated skin papules. Read More

Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2021;54. Epub 2021 Mar 8.

Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Departamento de Radiologia, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.

Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020 11;10:605679. Epub 2021 Feb 11.

Mycology Department, Instituto de Medicina Regional, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Resistencia, Argentina.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is the most relevant systemic endemic mycosis limited to Latin American countries. The etiological agents are thermally dimorphic species of the genus . Infection occurs respiratory tract by inhalation of propagules from the environmental (saprophytic) phase. Read More