Abstract
Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is the most prevalent systemic mycosis in Brazil. The disease is caused by dimorphic fungi nested within the Paracoccidioides genus. We described 106 PCM cases (47.1 cases/year) at the Tropical Diseases Public Hospital of Tocantins State. PCM was prevalent in males and rural workers over 50 years; the chronic pulmonary form predominated in 67% of cases. The male-to-female ratio was 2.65:1, with more women affected than other endemic regions of Brazil. Urban or indoor activities were reported in women and are ascribed to disease urbanization. qPCR-based assays confirmed the identification of Paracoccidioides DNA in 37 biological specimens. Paracoccidioides sp. DNA was found in 53% of the environmental samples, suggesting autochthonous infections. Therefore, the Tocantins-Araguaia basin must be considered a novel hyperendemic area of PCM in Brazil, reinforcing the importance of including PCM as a notifiable disease, requiring specific diagnosis and health measures.
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