Paracoccidioidomycosis is an infection caused by the fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis , which is usually present in soil and in vegetables, and can affect different parts of the body, such as the lungs, mouth, throat, skin or lymph nodes.
Also called South American blastomycosis, this infection is acquired through breathing and is more common in tropical regions, causing symptoms such as lack of appetite, weight loss, cough, fever, itching, mouth ulcers and the appearance of water. It can arise in 2 ways:
- Juvenile form: more frequent in children and young people from 10 to 20 years old, which usually appears in a more acute form, after a few weeks of infection; Adult form: usually affects people between 30 and 50 years of age, especially men working in rural areas, such as farmers, and people who smoke, drink alcohol or are malnourished, being a more chronic form, evolving over months years after contagion.
After confirming the diagnosis, with blood tests and biopsy, the doctor may guide the treatment with antifungals, such as Fluconazole, Ketoconazole, Itraconazole or Amphotericin, for example.
How the transmission happens
Paracoccidioidomycosis is contracted when breathing, with the inhalation of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis particles. This fungus lives in the soil of plantations, so it is common to affect residents of rural areas, farmers and farmers, for example, because the person can inhale the fungus together with the dust of the earth.
Once installed in the lungs, the fungi of paracoccidioidomycosis cause the disease in 2 different ways:
- Spread through the blood and lymphatic stream to other organs of the body, such as skin, lymph nodes, liver, spleen, skin and brain., especially during situations of weakened immunity, such as malnutrition, alcoholism, use of immunosuppressive drugs or HIV infection, for example.
The second path is the most frequent because, in general, it is more common to be contaminated with the fungus even as a child or adolescent, however, usually the symptoms appear in adulthood.
It is important to remember that paracoccidioidomycosis is not transmissible from one person to another, neither through direct contact nor through the sharing of personal objects. Also check out other diseases caused by fungi that spread throughout the body, such as Histoplasmosis or Blastomycosis.
Main symptoms
Paracoccidioidomycosis can present several forms of signs and symptoms, which vary according to personal characteristics such as age, health status, immune reaction and even genetic factors. The main signs and symptoms include:
- Loss of appetite and weakness; Paleness; Weight loss; Fever; Shortness of breath and cough, which may be with or without blood; Lesions on the skin or mucous membranes, especially on the face, mouth, lips, gums, causing difficulties in chewing and swallowing; Emergence of tongues by enlarged lymph nodes, which is also called lymph node enlargement; Enlarged spleen liver.
In the most severe cases, the disease can also reach organs such as the brain, intestines, bones or kidneys, for example.
How to confirm
For the diagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis, the doctor will do the clinical evaluation, physical examination, and may request tests such as chest X-ray, blood count, inflammation gauges and evaluation of kidney and liver functions, for example.
The confirmation is made mainly from the identification of the fungus in a biopsy of a lesion, however, other useful tests include the collection of sputum, pulmonary aspirate, scraping of lesions or culture of the fungus.
In addition, there are also blood tests capable of identifying antibodies against the fungus, which can help in the diagnosis and monitoring of the treatment of the disease.
Forms of treatment
The treatment of paracoccidioidomycosis is guided by an infectious disease physician, using antifungals such as Itraconazole, Fluconazole, Ketoconazole or Voriconazole, for example.
The treatment can be done at home, using the pills and can last from months to years. In the most severe cases, in which there is severe weakness or severe impairment of the lungs and other organs, hospitalization and the use of more potent drugs in the vein, such as Amphotericin and Rifampicin, may be necessary.
It is also indicated to avoid smoking, alcoholic beverages, and to treat intestinal parasites, which are common in these patients.
How to prevent
As Paracoccidioides brasiliensis lives in the soil and in the environment, it is difficult to establish forms of prevention, however, some care is recommended, especially for people working in rural areas, such as paying attention to personal hygiene, always washing hands and bathing at the end of the day, in addition to always wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, with appropriate clothing, gloves, mask and boots.
