Paracoccidioidomycosis with digestive manifestations in a pediatric patient

Abstract

Background: Paracoccidioidomycosis is a systemic infection caused by the fungus Paracoccidioides. It may present in two forms: an acute/subacute form, whose most frequent manifestations include weight loss, fever, anemia, and adenopathy, and a chronic condition with mainly respiratory symptoms. Digestive symptoms, although they may occur, are not frequently re-ported. Paracoccidioidomycosis usually affects adult male agricultural workers; thus, its presentation in children is rare. Case report: We describe the case of a 9-year-old male patient diagnosed with paracoccidioidomycosis, who showed abdominal pain and diarrhea as initial manifestations of the disease. Conclusions: This case is reported not only because of the age of presentation but also due to the existence of digestive symptoms from the onset of the disease, both infrequent-ly reported in the literature.