Oral exfoliative cytology in the diagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of conventional oral exfoliative cytology as a diagnostic tool in paracoccidioidomycosis. STUDY DESIGN: Cytologic smears and incisional biopsies were obtained from 1 0 patients with a clinical suspicion and oral manifestations of paracoccidi oidomycosis. Cytologic smears and sections of the incisional biopsy underwe nt methenamine silver staining for fungi according to the Gomori-Grocott me thod. The dry glass slides were examined at 400 or 1,000 X magnification, a nd the presence and shape of yeasts of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis were i nvestigated. RESULTS: Yeasts of the fungus P brasiliensis were clearly identified in cyt ologic smears and sections from incisional biopsies in all cases analyzed ( 100.0%). CONCLUSION: Cytology of oral samples proved an effective diagnostic method for the detection of paracoccidioidomycosis in humans.