Paracoccidioides brasiliensis causes which mycosis?

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis causes which mycosis?

• A. Coccidioidomycosis
• B. Blastomycosis
• C. Paracoccidioidomycosis
• D. Histoplasmosis

Answer: (C)

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis causes paracoccidioidomycosis, a systemic mycosis common in Latin America. A key clue is the yeast form in tissue showing multiple buds around a central cell, giving a distinctive “pilot wheel” (ship’s wheel) appearance. This organism is acquired by inhalation and leads to chronic granulomatous infection that can involve the lungs and mucous membranes. The other fungi produce different diseases in different regions: Coccidioides causes coccidioidomycosis, Blastomyces causes blastomycosis, and Histoplasma causes histoplasmosis.

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis causes paracoccidioidomycosis, a systemic mycosis common in Latin America. A key clue is the yeast form in tissue showing multiple buds around a central cell, giving a distinctive “pilot wheel” (ship’s wheel) appearance. This organism is acquired by inhalation and leads to chronic granulomatous infection that can involve the lungs and mucous membranes. The other fungi produce different diseases in different regions: Coccidioides causes coccidioidomycosis, Blastomyces causes blastomycosis, and Histoplasma causes histoplasmosis.