Immunology of paracoccidioidomycosis

Abstract

Paracoccidioidomycosis is the most prevalent systemic mycosis in Latin America, among immunecompetent patients. It's caused by the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioiddes brasiliensis. Investigations regarding its immunopathogenesis are very important in the understanding of aspects related to natural history, as the protective immunity, and the relationship between host and parasite; also favoring the knowledge about clinical patterns and the elaboration of therapeutic strategies. The disease clinical polymorphism depends, at least, of the immune response profile according to the tissue and blood released citokynes, resulting in tissue damage. © 2011 by Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia.