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Photochemical & Photobiological... May 2024Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis with serious clinical consequences in which the use of antifungal drugs requires long-term treatment. Therefore, we...
UNLABELLED
Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis with serious clinical consequences in which the use of antifungal drugs requires long-term treatment. Therefore, we studied the effect of low-level LASER therapy (LLLT) to evaluate its prospects as a complementary treatment for PCM and improve the clinical response to the disease.
OBJECTIVES
Our study focused on the resolution of lesions caused by fungal infection using a subcutaneous air pouch model of infection.
METHODS
We evaluated cell profile and cytokines, fungi viability, and the presence of fibroblasts and fibrocytes at the site of infection. Inoculation of P. brasiliensis (Pb) was performed using a subcutaneous air pouch model and the LLLT irradiation was performed on alternate days on the rear paws of mice for 10 days, after which the cells from the air pouch were collected and analyzed.
RESULTS
In animals irradiated with LLLT, the influx of cells to the air pouch was reduced, but they were more activated and produced pro-inflammatory (IL-12, IL-17 and TNF-α) and neutrophil (PMN) activating cytokines (IL-8, GM-CSF and γ-IFN). A better resolution of the infection, evidenced by the reduction in the number of viable fungi with preserved morphology in the air pouch, and an increase in the number of fibrocytes, indicating a healing profile were also observed.
CONCLUSION
LLLT decreased the influx of PMN, but those presents were highly activated, with increased fungicidal activity. LLLT irradiation also resulted in earlier cicatrization at the site of infection, leading to a better outcome of the infection. These data are favorable to the use of LLLT as a complementary therapy in PCM.
PubMed: 38806861
DOI: 10.1007/s43630-024-00595-6 -
Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024Blood count is crucial for assessing bone marrow's cell production and differentiation during infections, gaging disease severity, and monitoring therapeutic responses....
Blood count is crucial for assessing bone marrow's cell production and differentiation during infections, gaging disease severity, and monitoring therapeutic responses. The profile of blood count in chronic forms of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) has been insufficiently explored. To better understand the changes in hematological cells in different stages of the PCM chronic form, we evaluated the blood count, including immature blood cells in automated equipment, before and during the treatment follow-up of 62 chronic PCM patients. Predominantly male (96.8%) with an average age of 54.3 (standard deviation SD 6.9) years, participants exhibited pre-treatment conditions such as anemia (45.2%), monocytosis (38.7%), and leukocytosis (17.7%), which became less frequent after clinical cure. Anemia was more prevalent in severe cases. Notably, hemoglobin and reticulocyte hemoglobin content increased, while leukocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, immature granulocytes, and platelets decreased. Chronic PCM induced manageable hematological abnormalities, mainly in the red blood series. Monocytosis, indicating monocytes' role in PCM's immune response, was frequent. Post-treatment, especially after achieving clinical cure, significant improvements were observed in various hematological indices, including immature granulocytes and reticulocyte hemoglobin content, underscoring the impact of infection on these parameters.
PubMed: 38786672
DOI: 10.3390/jof10050317 -
Veterinary Research Communications May 2024Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis endemic in Latin American countries and one of the most important fungal diseases regarding incidence and mortality in...
Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis endemic in Latin American countries and one of the most important fungal diseases regarding incidence and mortality in humans. PCM has also been described in some animal species such as dogs. In this study we describe a new case of PCM disease in a dog that differed from previous records in the literature which includes a progressive evolution of fungal dermatitis causing a deforming lesion in the nose, like those found in human patients, and humoral response against gp70 instead of gp43, the major diagnostic antigen for human PCM. The clinical isolate through the ITS and partial gp43 gene phylogenetic analysis was grouped in the Paracoccidioides brasiliensis complex. This case describes several features which may contribute to improving diagnosis and understanding of canine paracoccidioidomycosis.
PubMed: 38758425
DOI: 10.1007/s11259-024-10413-0 -
Medical Mycology May 2024The Second International Meeting on Endemic Mycoses of the Americas (IMEMA) and the First International Symposium on Implantation Mycoses (ISIM) took place in Santiago...
The Second International Meeting on Endemic Mycoses of the Americas (IMEMA) and the First International Symposium on Implantation Mycoses (ISIM) took place in Santiago del Estero, Argentina during September 25-27th, 2023. The conference provided a platform for researchers, clinicians, and experts to discuss the latest developments in the field of endemic and implantation mycoses. Topics included epidemiology, diagnostic advances, treatment strategies, and the impact of environmental factors in the spread of these fungal diseases. IMEMA and ISIM contributed to the regional discourse on the mycoses, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in addressing these public health challenges.
PubMed: 38744661
DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myae054 -
The Medical Journal of Australia Jun 2024
Topics: Humans; Paracoccidioidomycosis; Australia; Male; Antifungal Agents
PubMed: 38741384
DOI: 10.5694/mja2.52300 -
Medical Mycology May 2024The epidemiological dynamics of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) has been changing over the years. We analyzed secondary public data from the Hospital Information System of...
The epidemiological dynamics of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) has been changing over the years. We analyzed secondary public data from the Hospital Information System of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SIH/SUS), focusing on PCM-related hospitalizations and in-hospital deaths. In the period between 2010 and 2019, 396 hospitalizations and 30 deaths were related to PCM among 7 073 334 hospitalizations registered in Rio de Janeiro. We highlight the rising rates, reflecting the increase in the number of acute forms previously reported. Urgent public health policies are essential to prevent poor outcomes related to this neglected mycosis.
Topics: Brazil; Humans; Paracoccidioidomycosis; Hospitalization; Hospital Mortality; Male; Middle Aged; Female; Adult; Aged; Adolescent; Young Adult; Child; Child, Preschool; Aged, 80 and over
PubMed: 38684477
DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myae048 -
Mikrochimica Acta Apr 2024To overcome the limitations of current methods for diagnosing paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), it is critical to develop novel diagnostic strategies that can be implemented...
To overcome the limitations of current methods for diagnosing paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), it is critical to develop novel diagnostic strategies that can be implemented in low-resource settings and dramatically improve turnaround times. This study focused on the development of a portable molecular test to screen for Paracoccidioides spp. The proposed approach integrated double-tagging polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a paper-based lateral flow assay (LFA) for readout, using carbon nanoparticles as a signal generation system. Primers tagged with biotin and digoxigenin were employed to conduct the double-tagging PCR, which can be conveniently carried out on portable thermocyclers. This method can generate billions of tagged DNA copies from a single target molecule, which can be rapidly detected by the LFA platform, providing results within minutes. Avidin-modified carbon nanoparticles served as a signal generation system, enabling detection in the immunochromatographic assay. The LFA demonstrated the capability to detect double-tagged amplicons as low as 0.21 ng or 0.10 ng, depending on whether the results were assessed visually or with a smartphone equipped with an image processor. These findings suggest that the proposed approach holds great promise as a point-of-care diagnostic tool for the early and accurate detection of PCM in low-resource settings. The diagnostic test is rapid and inexpensive, requires minimal handling and can be easily introduced into the general practitioner's armoury for ambulatory screening of infection. This innovative approach has the potential to make a substantial contribution to PCM diagnosis, ultimately reducing morbidity and mortality associated with this disease.
Topics: Paracoccidioides; Carbon; Nanoparticles; DNA, Fungal; Paracoccidioidomycosis; Humans; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Limit of Detection
PubMed: 38671236
DOI: 10.1007/s00604-024-06367-4 -
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia... Jul 2024Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is the leading cause of death among systemic mycoses in Brazil. On the other hand, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most prevalent...
BACKGROUND
Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is the leading cause of death among systemic mycoses in Brazil. On the other hand, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most prevalent malignant neoplasm of the mouth. Both lesions rarely affect the tongue dorsum and may share similar clinical characteristics. This study aimed to retrieve cases of single oral ulcers diagnosed as PCM or OSCC.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted. All patients who had a single ulcer on dorsum of the tongue and confirmed diagnosis of PCM or OSCC were evaluated.
RESULTS
A total of 9 patients (5 women and 4 men) were evaluated, 5 patients had OSCCs (mean age = 69,8 years old), and 4 patients PCM (mean age = 51 years old). Most of the lesions were infiltrated and indurated in the palpation exam. Duration ranged from 1 to 12 months (mean time of 5.2 months and 4.7 months for OSCC and PCM, respectively). OSCC was the main clinical diagnosis hypothesis.
CONCLUSIONS
Although uncommon, PCM and OSCC should be considered as a diferential diagnosis hypothesis in infiltrated ulcers on the tongue dorsum. Iincisional biopsy is mandatory to confirm the diagnosis and indicate the appropriate treatment.
Topics: Humans; Male; Retrospective Studies; Female; Middle Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Paracoccidioidomycosis; Aged; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Diagnosis, Differential; Tongue Neoplasms; Oral Ulcer; Tongue Diseases; Adult; Aged, 80 and over
PubMed: 38615259
DOI: 10.4317/medoral.26518 -
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia... Jul 2024Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is the leading cause of death among systemic mycoses in Brazil. On the other hand, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most prevalent... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is the leading cause of death among systemic mycoses in Brazil. On the other hand, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most prevalent malignant neoplasm of the mouth. Both lesions rarely affect the tongue dorsum and may share similar clinical characteristics. This study aimed to retrieve cases of single oral ulcers diagnosed as PCM or OSCC.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted. All patients who had a single ulcer on dorsum of the tongue and confirmed diagnosis of PCM or OSCC were evaluated.
RESULTS
A total of 9 patients (5 women and 4 men) were evaluated, 5 patients had OSCCs (mean age = 69,8 years old), and 4 patients PCM (mean age = 51 years old). Most of the lesions were infiltrated and indurated in the palpation exam. Duration ranged from 1 to 12 months (mean time of 5.2 months and 4.7 months for OSCC and PCM, respectively). OSCC was the main clinical diagnosis hypothesis.
CONCLUSIONS
Although uncommon, PCM and OSCC should be considered as a differential diagnosis hypothesis in infiltrated ulcers on the tongue dorsum. Incisional biopsy is mandatory to confirm the diagnosis and indicate the appropriate treatment.
Topics: Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Retrospective Studies; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Aged; Ameloblastoma; Adult; Latin America; Aged, 80 and over; Paracoccidioidomycosis; Tongue Neoplasms
PubMed: 38615253
DOI: 10.4317/medoral.26493 -
Revista Da Sociedade Brasileira de... 2024Cutaneous involvement in paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) can exhibit a highly polymorphic spectrum. The infiltrative pattern corresponds to up to 26.6% of observed skin...
Cutaneous involvement in paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) can exhibit a highly polymorphic spectrum. The infiltrative pattern corresponds to up to 26.6% of observed skin lesions, including sarcoid-like plaques, a rare presentation of cutaneous lesions in PCM. This clinical expression is almost exclusively cutaneous, and its histology reveals a tuberculoid granuloma with a scarcity of fungi, leading to misdiagnosis as other granulomatous diseases. Here, we report a rare form of chronic multifocal paracoccidioidomycosis manifesting as sarcoid-like skin lesions misdiagnosed as granulomatous rosacea in a patient with severe systemic disease.
Topics: Humans; Paracoccidioidomycosis; Sarcoidosis; Skin; Diagnosis, Differential; Diagnostic Errors
PubMed: 38537002
DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0605-2023