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Fungal infections of the mucous membrane

Silvio Alencar Marques1

  • 1Departamento de Dermatologia e Radioterapia, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, UNESP-University Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil. smarques@fmb.unesp.br

Dermatologic Therapy
|July 6, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Severe fungal infections like paracoccidioidomycosis, histoplasmosis, and mucormycosis often involve oral mucosa. Early diagnosis of these fungal diseases is possible through characteristic mucosal lesions, with effective treatment options available.

Area of Science:

  • Clinical Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Mycology

Background:

  • Severe fungal infections can present with significant mucosal involvement.
  • Paracoccidioidomycosis, histoplasmosis, and mucormycosis are three such diseases.
  • Oral manifestations are common and can be key diagnostic indicators.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review three severe fungal diseases with mucosal involvement.
  • To highlight the diagnostic significance of oral lesions in these infections.
  • To discuss current treatment strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Clinical review of paracoccidioidomycosis, histoplasmosis, and mucormycosis.
  • Focus on clinical presentation, particularly mucosal and oral findings.
  • Summary of therapeutic approaches.

Main Results:

  • Mucosal involvement is frequent in paracoccidioidomycosis and rhinocerebral mucormycosis.
  • Paracoccidioidomycosis presents with superficial, granular, hemorrhagic oral ulcers.
  • Mucormycosis (rhinocerebral) is characterized by palatal necrosis and purulent discharge.

Conclusions:

  • Oral lesions serve as crucial early diagnostic clues for paracoccidioidomycosis and mucormycosis.
  • Prompt diagnosis facilitates timely and effective treatment.
  • Amphotericin B desoxycholate and second-generation triazoles are effective treatments.

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