Classification: ICD-9 116.1; ICD-10 B41
Synonyms: South American blastomycosis, Brazilian blastomycosis, Lutz–Splendore–Almeida disease.
Agent: Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, a dimorphic fungus. At room temperature, P. brasiliensis is a mold and at body temperature (37 °C) a yeast.
Reservoir: The natural reservoir is unclear. The fungus can be isolated from nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus). The disease has also been reported in dogs and other animals. Culturing the fungus from soil is difficult and regularly negative. As armadillos have close contact with soil, it is expected that soil is a reservoir. By using nine-banded armadillos as sentinel animals, it has been shown that the habitat of P. brasiliensis is likely humid vegetation close to water sources.
Transmission: Not completely understood. Possibly in the soil the fungus produces infective propagula that can become airborne, inhaled, and lead to respiratory infection. Infections may also occur through traumatic lesions, but this has not been demonstrated.
Cycle: Unknown.
Incubation period: Months to years.
Clinical findings
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