Paracoccidioidomycosis with digestive manifestations in a pediatric patient

Paracoccidioidomycosis is a systemic infection caused by the fungus Paracoccidioides. It may present in two forms: an acute/subacute form, whose most frequent manifestations include weight loss, fever, anemia, and adenopathy, and a chronic condition with mainly respiratory symptoms. Digestive symptoms, although they may occur, are not frequently reported. Paracoccidioidomycosis usually affects adult male agricultural workers; thus, its presentation in children is rare.

We describe the case of a 9-year-old male patient diagnosed with paracoccidioidomycosis, who showed abdominal pain and diarrhea as initial manifestations of the disease.

This case is reported not only because of the age of presentation but also due to the existence of digestive symptoms from the onset of the disease, both infrequently reported in the literature.