Paracoccidioidomycosis with sarcoid-like lesions:a diagnostic challenge

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
• Main Authors: Marilda Aparecida Milanez Morgado de Abreu, Joel Carlos Lastória, Antonio Luiz de Arruda Mattos, Maurício Mota de Avelar Alchorne
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT)
• Subjects: Diagnostic erros; Leprosy; Paracoccidioidomycosis; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0246-2016; https://doaj.org/article/b1cdcd6440f74ef2b51f54a14c39c676

Abstract Clinical presentation of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) can be diverse. Morphology and quantity of skin lesions depends on interactions between host immunity and fungus virulence. Diagnosis can be a challenge considering that this fungus has low virulence and some individuals have immunity to microorganism, which results in well-marked granulomas without visible microorganisms. We report herein a clinical presentation of sarcoid-like PCM, initially diagnosed as tuberculoid leprosy. This rare type of PCM is often mistaken for other types of chronic granulomatous diseases. Diagnosis was confirmed after 4 years when a special stain analysis helped in the identification of the specific etiologic agent.