Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is a thermally dimorphic fungus that is the causative agent of Paracoccidioidomycosis, a major endemic mycosis in Latin America. It is a member of the family Ajellomycetaceae and is found in soil and vegetation.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis involves a transition between a mycelial form at environmental temperatures (22-28°C) and a yeast form at body temperature (35-37°C) in mammalian hosts. This transition is critical for the pathogenicity of this fungus.

Pathogenesis and Clinical Manifestations

Infection with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis usually occurs through inhalation of airborne conidia. The conidia transform into yeast cells in the lungs and can disseminate to other parts of the body, causing systemic disease. Clinical manifestations of paracoccidioidomycosis can range from asymptomatic infection to severe, life-threatening disease. Symptoms can include chronic cough, weight loss, and skin lesions.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis is typically made by identification of the characteristic multiple budding yeast cells in clinical specimens or by serologic testing. Treatment usually involves long-term therapy with antifungal drugs, such as itraconazole or sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim.

Epidemiology

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is endemic to Latin America, with the highest prevalence in Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, and Colombia. The disease is most common in rural areas among individuals involved in agricultural activities, particularly coffee cultivation.

See Also

• Paracoccidioidomycosis
• Mycosis
• Fungus
• Itraconazole
• Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim