Keywords
Antifungals
Clinical treatment
Systemic mycosis
Emerging therapies
How to Cite
Abstract
Background: Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis endemic to Latin America, especially Brazil, caused by fungi of the Paracoccidioides genus. Despite its clinical relevance, therapeutic options still have limitations, such as long treatment periods, adverse effects and a high drop-out rate. Aim: To review and critically analyze the main scientific evidence published in the last 10 years on the clinical treatment of PCM.
Methods: This is an integrative literature review carried out in the PubMed database, using the search strategy: “paracoccidioidomycosis[title] AND treatment[title] NOT diagnosis”. Articles published in the last 10 years, available in full text and directly addressing the treatment of PCM were included. After screening, five articles were selected for analysis.
Results: The studies reviewed addressed both conventional treatments and experimental therapies. Itraconazole was highlighted as the drug of choice in moderate cases, with better efficacy and tolerability. Innovative compounds, such as cyclopalladate 7a and amphotericin B delivered by magnetic nanoparticles, have shown promising antifungal activity and low toxicity in animal models. An observational clinical study showed hematological changes in patients with chronic PCM that normalized with treatment, suggesting potential for therapeutic monitoring.
Conclusion: Current treatments for PCM are effective, but still limited by factors such as toxicity and prolonged duration. Emerging therapies offer promising prospects, reinforcing the need for new clinical studies to validate their efficacy and safety in medical practice.
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