Histoplasmosis and Paracoccidioidomycosis in a Non‐Endemic Area: A Review of Cases and Diagnosis

Abstract

These kinds of mycoses are increasingly frequent in non-endemic areas, and newer and faster techniques should be used to reach an early diagnosis. The RT-PCR techniques developed appear to be sensitive, specific, and fast and could be helpful to detect those mycoses. However, it is also essential that physicians perform differential diagnosis in individuals coming from endemic areas.

Lung Diseases - Selected State of the Art Reviews

“…None of the above reports, however, mentioned attempts at isolating the fungus from the environment. Another important blocking factor in the search for the fungus's habitat is its capacity to enter prolonged quiescent stages, which has been demonstrated by the approximately 90 imported cases reported from nonendemic countries, as exemplified by the patients recently diagnosed in Europe (Buitrago et al, 2011;Mayayo et al, 2007;Poisson et al, 2007). All patients corresponded to emigrants living in Japan, the USA, Canada or several of the European countries where they had lived for a mean of 14 years after abandoning their native PCM-endemic homelands (Lacaz et al, 2002;Nucci et al, 2009;Shankar et al, 2011).…”

Pulmonary Paracoccidioidomycosis: Clinical, Immunological and Histopathological Aspects

“…The latter situation presents the so-called regressive form of PCM. The latency process is known to exist and is frequently prolonged (mean, 14 years), as revealed by the cases reported outside the endemic areas (Buitrago et al, 2011;Walker et al, 2008;Shankar et al, 2011).…”

“…These laboratory tests have great value and can also be employed in follow-up studies (Gómez et al, 1997Lacaz et al, 2002;Nucci et al, 2009;Restrepo et al, 2009Restrepo et al, , 2011. In addition, in the last decade, molecular tests to diagnose PCM have been implemented; these tests require further research (Buitrago et al, 2011;Gomes et al, 2000;Bialek et al, 2000a;Koishi et al, 2010).…”

“…In addition and based on high polygenetic the above reports, however, mentioned attempts at isolating the fungus from the environment. Another important blocking factor in the search for the fungus's habitat is its capacity to enter prolonged quiescent stages, which has been demonstrated by the approximately 90 imported cases reported from nonendemic countries, as exemplified by the patients recently diagnosed in Europe (Buitrago et al, 2011;Mayayo et al, 2007;Poisson et al, 2007). All patients corresponded to emigrants living in Japan, the USA, Canada or several of the European countries where they had lived for a mean of 14 years after abandoning their native PCM-endemic homelands (Lacaz et al, 2002;Nucci et al, 2009;Shankar et al, 2011).…”

“…In addition, some of them have been reported outside of the endemic areas (Europe, Japan, USA), all cases occurring in immigrants, tourists, or workers returning from endemic countries (Buitrago et al, 2011;Poisson et al, 2007). For these reasons, it is essential that physicians around the world be informed of the clinical characteristics of these fungal diseases in order to include them in their differential diagnosis of patients coming from or visiting the recognized endemic areas.…”