A case of laryngeal paracoccidioidomycosis masquerading as chronic obstructive lung disease.
Paracoccidioidomycosis (South American blastomycosis) is a systemic infection caused by a dimorphic fungus (Paracoccidioides brasiliensis). It is common in the rural areas of Latin America. The majority of the reported cases come from Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela. Paracoccidioidomycosis is the most important systemic mycosis of the tropical Americas and can affect any organ, causing symptomatic or asymptomatic lesions. Paracoccidioidomycosis can mimic other diseases, which must be considered in making the differential diagnosis. Patients get infected by inhaling mycelia found in the natural environment or rarely from traumatic inoculation via mucous membranes. The most common lesions frequently occur in the buccal pharynx mucosa. Others lesions occur in the larynx, adrenal glands, liver, bones, gastrointestinal tract, lungs and nervous system.
Tristano
Antonio G
AG
Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Dr. Domingo Luciani, Caracas, Venezuela. mjtristano@cantv.net
Díaz
Lizmer
L
D000383:Agriculture; D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010229:Paracoccidioidomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014687:Venezuela
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D000666:Amphotericin B