Paracoccidioidomycosis in the northern region of Rio Grande do Sul

Background and Objectives: Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic disease caused by the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis found in the tropical and subtropical regions of Latin America. This study aimed to perform a retrospective analysis of PCM cases from the northern region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Methods: A total of 200 records of PCM cases from 1995 to 2015 were analyzed, diagnosed at the local reference pathology laboratory. Results: Of the patients, 185 were male and 15 female. Patients ranged in age from 31 to 80 years, the largest proportion (35,5%) being aged between 51 and 60 years and living or working in the countryside. Clinical samples were mostly obtained from the oral cavity, followed by the oropharynx, lungs, brain, skin, and prostate. Conclusion: PCM is endemic in the south of Brazil, as the local economy is largely based on agricultural activities, favoring the contact of the population with P. brasiliensis. Due to the great similarity between PCM symptoms and other respiratory diseases, the differential diagnosis is essential for the correct treatment of the disease and to avoid its progression.