Chronic pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Since 1942, when paracoccidioidomycosis was first identified in the state o f Rio Grande do Sul, paracoccidioidal pulmonary lesions became a great conc ern to physicians. The present study focuses on 53 patients diagnosed over a seven-year period who presented paracoccidioidal lesions circumscribed to the lungs. These patients presented clinical and radiological features tha t simulated several pulmonary infectious and non-infectious conditions. Fou r unusual cases are briefly discussed. A sequence of laboratorial tests sho uld be established for the diagnosis of pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis.