Abstract
Although endemic mycoses are a frequent health problem in Latin American countries, clinical and epidemiological data remain scarce and fragmentary. These mycoses have a significant impact on public health, and early diagnosis and appropriate treatment remain important. The target population for endemic disease in Latin America is mostly represented by low-income rural workers with limited access to a public or private health system. Unfortunately, diagnostic tools are not widely available in medical centers in Latin America; consequently, by the time patients are diagnosed with fungal infection, many are already severely ill. Among immunocompromised patients, endemic mycoses usually behave as opportunistic infections causing disseminated rather than localized disease. This paper reviews the epidemiology of the most clinically significant endemic mycoses in Latin America: paracoccidioidomycosis, histoplasmosis, and coccidioidomycosis. The burdens of disease, typically affected populations, and clinical outcomes also are discussed.
Acknowledgment
The authors would like to thank Sheena Hunt, PhD, in association with ApotheCom, for providing editorial assistance for the authors’ original work, which was funded by Schering-Plough, now Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, USA.
Declaration of interest: Dr Colombo has received educational and research grants from United Medical, Merck, and Pfizer, and is a consultant for Merck and Pfizer. Dr Tobón has served as a speaker for Janssen and Merck. Dr Restrepo has no affiliation with and has received no grants from pharmaceutical companies. Dr Queiroz-Telles has received research grants from Astellas, Janssen, Merck, and Pfizer; is a consultant for Pfizer, Merck, and Astellas; and has served as a speaker for Pfizer. Dr Nucci has received research grants from Merck and Pfizer and served as a speaker and consultant for Merck, Pfizer, and Astellas.
This paper was first published online on Early Online on 9 May 2011.