This review summarizes knowledge on various aspects of paracoccidioidomycosis. Mycelial propagules, chlamydospores, and arthroconidia exhibit thermal dimorphism; arthroconidia are infectious in animals and, by electron microscopy, appear well provided for survival. The mycelial-to-yeast-phase transformation requires a strict control of glucan synthesis probably mediated by membrane enzymes. Hor...

Neutrophils predominate during the acute phase of the Paracoccidioides brasiliensis infection. Herein, we determined the role of the neutrophil during the early stages of experimental pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis using a monoclonal antibody (mAb) specific for neutrophils. Male BALB/c mice were inoculated intranasally with 1.5 × 10(6) or 2 × 10(6) P. brasiliensis yeast cells. The mAb was adm...

A 46-year-old male farmer born in Minas Gerais State, Brazil, presented with disseminated plaque-like, ulcerated skin lesions ( Figure 1A–D ). Laryngoscopy showed lesions on the pharyngeal, nasal, and laryngeal mucosa ( Figure 1E ). He was a heavy tobacco smoker and drank 1–2 L of rum daily. The differential diagnosis included secondary syphilis, sporotrichosis, histoplasmosis, tuberculosis, ch...

Severe forms of paracoccidioidomycosis (Pcm) are accompanied by intense immunological involvement characterized by depression of the cell-mediated immune response and by high levels of antibodies in serum with no protective function. These changes can be reversed by antifungal treatment. It has been suggested that antigens of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis released into the circulation during th...

A male, 20-year-old patient with hematochezia and enteror-rhagia associated with weight loss. Colonoscopy demonstrated nonspecific rectitis, and histopathological analysis was compatible with Crohn's disease. The treatment was initiated and remission was observed. After five months, the medication was interrupted without medical advice, and recurrence of the same initial symptoms was observed a...