Paracoccidioidomycosis
Overview
Infection by the fungus Paracoccidiodes brasiliensis which usually affects the lungs but can also involve the skin, mucous membranes, lymphatic system and other parts of the body.
Symptoms
* Ulcerative mouth lesions * Ulcerative nose lesions * Cough * Breathing difficulty * Chest pain * Pulmonary fibrosis * Emphysema * Enlarged lymph glands * Pus drainage from lymph glands * Liver lesions * Spleen lesions * Intestinal lesions * Adrenal lesions * Skin lesions * Disfiguring skin lesions
Causes
B. dermatitidis is probably inhaled by people who are in close contact with the soil. The incubation period may range from weeks to months. Blastomycosis is generally found in North America (where B. dermatitidis normally inhabits the soil), and is endemic to the southeastern United States. Sporadic cases have also been reported in Africa. Blastomycosis usually infects men ages 30 to 50, but no occupational link has been found.
Diagnosis
signs and symptoms of Paracoccidioidomycosis may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they are indeed Paracoccidioidomycosis symptoms.
Treatment
All forms of blastomycosis respond to amphotericin B. Ketoconazole or fluconazole may be used as alternative agents and may be more effective with the patients who are immunocompromised. Patient care is mainly supportive.