Multifocal Pseudotumorous Form of Neuroparacoccidioidomycosis in an Immunocompetent Patient: A Clinicopathological Review Based on a Case Report

Neuroparacoccidiodimycosis (NPDM) is an uncommon granulomatous disease, which more frequently affects immunocompromised male patients over 30 years of age in the course of chronic lung disease. Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (PB) is an endemic fungus in Brazil, and grows as thick-walled yeast (with round to oval bodies) measuring 10 µm to 60 µm in diameter. Neuroparacoccidiodimycosi may develop many years after transmission and/or primary lung involvement. The authors describe a case of NPDM affecting a male patient, 52 years of age, farmer, heavy smoker, with clinical complaint of headache, asthenia, seizures, and prostration in the previous nine months. Upon physical examination, the patient presented regular general condition, without other relevant physical alterations. Computed tomography (CT) showed multiple bilateral pulmonary nodules associated to enlargement of the mediastinal lymph node. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CTscans of the central nervous system showed six heterogeneous nodular lesions compromising the frontal and parietal lobes, the largest one measuring 3.8 3.2 3.2 cm. The hypothesis of a neoplastic process compromising the lung and brain was considered. A biopsy of the mediastinal lymph node showed epithelioid granulomas, which exhibited round, thin-walled fungal structures in Grocott silver stain. The stereotactic biopsy of the frontal lesion was constituted by necrotic tissue admixed with some round to oval, thin-walled fungi measuring 10 µm to 60 µm, compatible with PB (identified on Grocott silver stain/confirmed in culture). The diagnosis of NPDM was then established. The employed therapeutic regimen was intravenous amphotericin B, itraconazole, and sulfamethoxazole-trimetropin. After ninety days of clinical follow-up, no episodes of seizures/neurological deficits were identified, and a marked decrease in the number and size of the lung and brain lesions were found.

Paracoccidioidomicosis, a propósito de un caso / Paracoccidioidomicosis, apropos of a case

La paracoccidioidomicosis es una micosis profunda y sistémica frecuente en las zonas tropicales y subtropicales de América Latina, cuyo agente etiológico es el Paracoccidioides sp. Es una enfermedad prevalente de la población adulta más del 95% de los casos secundario al largo período de latencia, por lo que existen pocos reportes en la edad pediátrica. Se presenta caso clínico de adolescente de 14 años de sexo masculino, quién cursó con múltiples adenopatías en todo el cuerpo, predominio en la región cervical, asociado a palidez mucocutanea generalizada y dolor abdominal inespecífico. Antecedente de presentar un mes atrás accesos de tos, fiebre e hiporexia. Se realizó el diagnóstico diferencial con: leucemia, linfomas, tuberculosis pulmonar y extrapulmonar. El diagnóstico se confirmó por histopatología de biopsia ganglionar y examen directo. El paciente fue tratado con Itraconazol, presentando una evolución favorable.

Paracoccidioidomycosis is a deep and systemic fungal infection common in tropical and subtropical areas of Latin America, whose etiologic agent is Paracoccidioides sp. It is a common disease of the adult population over 95% cases are secondary cases to the long latency period, so there are few reports in children. It present a clinical case of 14-year old male, who had attended multiple lymph nodes in all body, predominantly in the cervical region, associated with generalized mucocutaneous paleness and nonspecific abdominal pain. Antecedent to present a month ago coughing, fever and hyporexia. Presenting a favorable evolution Leukemia, lymphoma, pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis: the differential diagnosis was made. The diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy of histopathology node and direct examination. The patient was treated with itraconazole, presunting a favorable evolution.

Paracoccidioidomicose pulmonar assintomática e regressiva, com posterior disseminação: relato de um caso

É relatado o caso de um homem aparentemente sadio no qual uma abreugrafia de rotina evidenciou lesões pulmonares. Enquanto se buscava a etiologia, as lesões radiológicas foram regredindo espontaneamente até restar apenas fibrose. Por apresentar linhas de precipitação específicas frente à paracoccidioidina na prova de imunodifusão dupla em gel de agar, o paciente foi revisto 3 meses após. Nesta ocasião, persistindo a positividaàe da sorologia e a radiografia de tórax normal, surgiu uma lesão labial, na qual, ao exame microscópico, foi possível demonstrar a presença do Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Os autores ressaltam as dificuldades diagnosticas do caso e o correlacionam com as formas clinicas da doença.

A case of spontaneously healed pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis in an apparently healthy man is reported. At first the diagnosis was based on chest X-ray lesions and a positive precipitation test. Three months later, despite the persisting normal chest X-ray, diagnosis was confirmed by the finding of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis on a lip lesion. The authors emphasize that diagnosis was rather difficult - because the patient remained symptomless - and to correlate this case with the clinical forms of the disease.