Epidemiological aspects of paracoccidioidomycosis in the city of Sinop – MT (Atena Editora)

Abstract

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is a dimorphic fungus that causes paracoccidioidomycosis, a systemic fungal infection. The main risk factor for acquiring this infection are activities for acquiring the infection are professions or activities related to soil management related to the fungus with the fungus, such as agricultural activities, earthworks, soil preparation, gardening practices, transportation of plant products, among others. The first host-parasite interaction occurs in the pulmonary alveoli; from the lungs, the fungus can spread through the hematogenous or lymphatic route, affecting other organs and systems such as the liver, spleen, bones and central nervous system. Given the geographic and demographic characteristics of the municipality of Sinop - MT, this project aimed to evaluate the epidemiological aspects of paracoccidioidomycosis in this region and to isolate the etiological agent from sputum samples. The project was duly approved by the Research Ethics Committee and authorized by the Municipal Health Department of Sinop - MT. The screening of suspected cases of paracoccidioidomycosis was carried out with the collaboration of a pulmonologist in the city of Sinop - MT. Interviews were conducted with these suspected patients through a questionnaire to assess epidemiological factors. The sputum was processed for direct examination with KOH (potassium hydroxide) between the slide and the coverslip, and cultured on Sabouraud agar plus 0.05% chloramphenicol, Mycobiotic agar, and on BHI heart and brain infusion agar plus 5% sheep's blood, incubated at room temperature (25°C) and in an oven at 37°C, for approximately 1 month before being considered negative. After the appearance of fungal colonies, the analysis of the macroscopic/microscopic characteristics was performed by visualizing the presence or absence of fruiting and ornamentation structures. Of the total number of patients diagnosed so far, 6 (85.7%) were male and 1 (14.3%) were female, as shown in Figure 1 below. The most affected age group was over 40 years, with 2 (28.6%) cases between 40-50 years, 2 (28.6%) between 51-60 years and 3 (42.8%) between 61-70 years. years old. Our findings corroborate other studies, in which the most affected age group is between 30 and 60 years of age and more than 90% of the cases are male, a group that is more exposed to alcoholism and smoking, possible factors of risk for the development of this disease. The low prevalence of the disease in women is due to the inhibitory influence of estrogen, however, it can affect young women and post-menopausal age. Data analysis allows us to infer that we are facing a factor that is in line with the literature. Several studies demonstrate that the region of Mato Grosso can be considered endemic for the microorganism and knowing the epidemiological aspects of the infection, as well as the risk factors related to the pathogen are fundamental to devise strategies against paracoccidioidomycosis, a systemic mycosis that, when diagnosed early, gives good results. therapeutic adherence and cost reduction to the public health system.