Tropical dermatology: fungal tropical diseases

Abstract

Fungal infections are very common in tropical countries and can have an important impact in terms of public health. Lobomycosis is the most common fungal infection in the tropical rain forest of South America, and paracoccidioidomycosis (South American blastomycosis) is a widespread and sometimes severe illness. Chromoblastomycosis and mycetomoas are causes of morbidity around the world and rhinosporidiosis a common cause of infection in some areas. Sporotrichosis is a worldwide subcutaneous mycosis with a very high incidence in tropical countries and also an important illness in immunocompromised patients.In the past, most of these mycoses were restricted to very specific geographic areas and natural reservoirs. There are, however, some situations where people from other regions come in contact with the pathogens. A common situation involves accidental contamination of a traveler, tourist, or worker who has contact with a tropical mycosis. Even minor trauma to the skin surface or the inhalation of fungal spores can infect the patient. Thus, recognizing the clinical symptoms and dermatological findings of the diseases, as well as the geographical distribution of the pathogens, can be critical in diagnosing the tropical mycoses. Fungal infections are very common in tropical countries and can have an important impact in terms of public health. Lobomycosis is the most common fungal infection in the tropical rain forest of South America, and paracoccidioidomycosis (South American blastomycosis) is a widespread and sometimes severe illness. Chromoblastomycosis and mycetomoas are causes of morbidity around the world and rhinosporidiosis a common cause of infection in some areas. Sporotrichosis is a worldwide subcutaneous mycosis with a very high incidence in tropical countries and also an important illness in immunocompromised patients. In the past, most of these mycoses were restricted to very specific geographic areas and natural reservoirs. There are, however, some situations where people from other regions come in contact with the pathogens. A common situation involves accidental contamination of a traveler, tourist, or worker who has contact with a tropical mycosis. Even minor trauma to the skin surface or the inhalation of fungal spores can infect the patient. Thus, recognizing the clinical symptoms and dermatological findings of the diseases, as well as the geographical distribution of the pathogens, can be critical in diagnosing the tropical mycoses.