Faculty, Staff and Student Publications
Publication Date
1-1-2022
Journal
Cureus
Abstract
Paracoccidioidomycosis is a systemic fungal disease caused by the dimorphic Paracoccidioides species endemic to South America. Infection classically presents with pulmonary, mucosal, or reticuloendothelial involvement, though other organs can be involved. Central nervous system involvement is rare, and almost universally reported within the endemic area for the fungus. We present a 60-year-old Brazilian male who complained of occipital headache, ataxia, dysmetria, and dysarthria for two months, diagnosed with neuroparacoccidioidomycosis in Houston, Texas. The patient had a cerebellar mass and a left pulmonary spiculated apical mass suspicious for a lung metastatic malignancy and a preliminary histological report consistent with invasive cryptococcosis. The patient's work and travel history were paramount in achieving the final diagnosis.
Keywords
paracoccidioidomycosis, central nervous system infections, brain mass, paracoccidioides brasiliensis, neuroparacoccidioidomycosis
DOI
10.7759/cureus.21129
PMID
35165582
PMCID
PMC8833289
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
1-11-2022
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-print
Published Open-Access
yes