MICROBIOLOGY

• Dimorphic fungus.
  • At 37°C appears as an oval to round yeast cell variable in size, 4-40 μm.
  • The classic "ship’s wheel" structure [Fig 1] represents a mother cell surrounded by narrow-based budding daughter cells.
• Four phylogenetic species (S1, PS2, PS3, PS4) are confined to particular endemic regions.
• Autochthonous disease from southern Mexico to northern Argentina.
  • Countries where there have been no reports of paracoccidioidomycosis (PM), include:
    • Central America: Belize and Nicaragua
    • South America: Chile, French Guiana, Guiana, and Suriname
• Paracoccidioides lutzzi causes a similar disease in humans; cases due to P. lutzzi have only been reported in Brazil and Ecuador.
  
  • Other species described now with molecular taxonomy infecting humans:
    • Several cryptic species, including Paracoccidioides americana, P. restrepiensis, and P. venezuelensis.
  • Preference for cutaneous and mucous membranes.