Disseminated paracoccidioidomycosis prediagnosticated as neoplasm: An important challenge in diagnosis using rt-PCR

Abstract

This paper presents a case of disseminated paracoccidioidomycosis in a 62-year-old male patient, who lives in Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. The patient was hospitalized with icteric syndrome of cholestatic pattern and weight loss, with loss 30 kg in 5 months. The imaging of the abdomen showed lesion of infiltrative pattern, affecting gallbladder and intrahepatic bile ducts, suggesting neoplasia of malignant behavior, besides to presenting the yellow nail syndrome. Dermatological examination presented erythematous-infiltrated plaques in the occipital region. Also, the patient presented tegumentary lesions on the scalp and lumbar region from which the histopathological examination was carried out, which evidenced yeasts cells. The drug of choice for therapy was Liposomal Amphotericin-B. At the end of the antifungal treatment, liver enzyme dosages were normalized and there was improvement of the general condition of the patient, as well as the skin lesions. Here, we demonstrate the importance of molecular biology to confirm the diagnosis. Especially in cases of difficult diagnosis.

Keywords

• Paracoccidioidomycosis
• Paracoccidioides brasiliensis
• P. lutzii
• Molecular markers
• rt-PCR Diagnosis