PARACOCCIDIOIDOMYCOSES Meaning and
Definition
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Paracoccidioidomycoses is a medical term that refers to a systemic mycosis caused by the fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and its closely related species. It primarily affects the respiratory system but can also spread to other organs, leading to a wide range of symptoms and complications.
This condition is commonly found in rural and agricultural areas of South and Central America, including Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela. It is mainly transmitted through the inhalation of fungal spores present in soil or through close contact with infected individuals.
The incubation period of paracoccidioidomycoses can range from weeks to months, and symptoms typically vary depending on the organs involved. Common symptoms include chronic cough, chest pain, difficulty breathing, fatigue, fever, weight loss, and skin lesions.
If left untreated, paracoccidioidomycoses can lead to progressive lung involvement, causing fibrosis and potentially impairing lung function. Additionally, it can spread to other organs such as the liver, spleen, lymph nodes, and nervous system, which can lead to severe complications and even death.
Diagnosis of paracoccidioidomycoses involves a combination of clinical evaluation, radiological imaging, and laboratory tests to detect the presence of the fungus in biological samples. Treatment usually involves long-term administration of antifungal medications such as itraconazole or sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim.
Preventive measures to reduce the risk of contracting paracoccidioidomycoses include the use of personal protective equipment in agricultural activities, maintaining good hygiene practices, and avoiding close contact with infected individuals.
Common Misspellings for PARACOCCIDIOIDOMYCOSES
- oaracoccidioidomycoses
- laracoccidioidomycoses
- -aracoccidioidomycoses
- 0aracoccidioidomycoses
- pzracoccidioidomycoses
- psracoccidioidomycoses
- pwracoccidioidomycoses
- pqracoccidioidomycoses
- paeacoccidioidomycoses
- padacoccidioidomycoses
- pafacoccidioidomycoses
- patacoccidioidomycoses
- pa5acoccidioidomycoses
- pa4acoccidioidomycoses
- parzcoccidioidomycoses
- parscoccidioidomycoses
- parwcoccidioidomycoses
- parqcoccidioidomycoses
- paraxoccidioidomycoses
- paravoccidioidomycoses
Etymology of PARACOCCIDIOIDOMYCOSES
The word "Paracoccidioidomycoses" has the following etymology:
"Para-" is a prefix derived from Greek, meaning "beside" or "alongside".
"Coccidioidomycoses" is a compound word formed from two other words: "Coccidioides" and "mycoses".
"Coccidioides" refers to the genus of fungi that cause the disease. It is derived from the Latin word "coccidio" meaning "grain-like" or "berry-like", and the Greek word "oides" meaning "resembling".
"Mycoses" is a plural form of "mycosis", which comes from the Greek word "mykes" meaning "fungus" and the suffix "-osis" meaning "condition" or "disease".
