title: Current strategies for diagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis and prospects of methods based on gold nanoparticles.
abstract: Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a human systemic granulomatous mycosis caused by thermodimorphic fungi from Paracoccidioides genus. The disease is prevalent in Latin America and triggers a serious clinical condition. Consequently, rapid diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent progression of the disease, which can result in death. Currently, there are several established methods for PCM diagnosis. However, many of these tests still present challenges in terms of cost, accessibility and efficiency. In this scenario, gold nanoparticles represent a promising alternative since they have particular optical and electronic properties, which allow its use for biomolecules detection. This review will briefly present techniques available for PCM diagnosis and the perspectives of implementation of gold nanoparticles for diagnosis of this mycosis.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Biológicas/DECBI - Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas/NUPEB - Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (UFOP), Campus Universitário Morro do Cruzeiro - Ouro Preto, CEP 35400-000, Minas Gerais, Brasil.
authors.forename: Cyntia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Silva Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Biológicas/DECBI - Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas/NUPEB - Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (UFOP), Campus Universitário Morro do Cruzeiro - Ouro Preto, CEP 35400-000, Minas Gerais, Brasil.
authors.forename: Erica Milena
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: de Castro Ribeiro
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia/ICB - Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Av. Antônio Carlos, Belo Horizonte, CEP 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brasil.
authors.forename: Alfredo de
authors.initials: Ad
authors.lastname: Miranda Goes
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Biológicas/DECBI - Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas/NUPEB - Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (UFOP), Campus Universitário Morro do Cruzeiro - Ouro Preto, CEP 35400-000, Minas Gerais, Brasil.
authors.forename: Breno de
authors.initials: Bd
authors.lastname: Mello Silva
mesh_terms: D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D006046:Gold; D006801:Humans; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D010228:Paracoccidioides / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010229:Paracoccidioidomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D006046:Gold
keywords: Paracoccidioides brasiliensis; Paracoccidioides lutzii; diagnosis; gold nanorods; gold nanospheres; paracoccidioidomycosis