Paracoccidioidomycosis (South American Blastomycosis) | Figure 4.32
A: Blastomycosis*
B: Blastomycosis*
*Courtesy of Dr. Paul Getz
C: Paracoccidiodes brasiliensis
(Courtesy of CDC,
Dr. Lucille Georg) |
(Figure 4.32C) - Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, dimorphic fungus, endemic to Central/South America
- Infection via inhalation of conidia from environment
- Primary pulmonary infection: resembles pneumonia, ± dissemination to skin and other organs
- Cutaneous infection: slow-growing painful verrucous or ulcerative nodules typically around mouth with painful oral and nasal mucosal ulcerations
- Histology: pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia, characteristic large round organism with multiple narrow-based buds radiating outward (mariner’s wheel)
- Treatment: amphotericin B, oral azoles, and sulfonamides
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