Antigenemia and oral lesions in paracoccidioidomycosis: is there a correlation?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-7765-2025-0566Keywords:
Antigenemia, Paracoccidioidomycosis, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, P. brasiliensis, Circulating antigenAbstract
Background: Paracoccidioidomycosis is a systemic mycosis caused by the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides
brasiliensis and related species, which are endemic to Latin America. Oral manifestations are highly relevant for
diagnosis, representing the primary anatomical site biopsied for confirmation. Objective: To investigate whether
the virulence of P. brasiliensis influences the levels of circulating antigen in susceptible (B10.A) and resistant (A/
Sn) murine models at multiple post-infection time points. The presence of oral lesions and their correlation with
antigenemia were also assessed. Methodology: One-week-old female B10.A and A/Sn mice were inoculated with
the P. brasiliensis lineages Pb18 or Pb265, whereas controls received sterile saline. At four, eight, 12, and 16 postinoculation weeks, sera were collected via sub-axillary plexus incision under anesthesia. Circulating antigen levels
were quantified using competitive ELISA. Specific antibody titers were determined by indirect non-competitive
ELISA and P. brasiliensis antigens. Intergroup comparisons were performed using two-way ANOVA, followed by
multiple comparisons. Oral cavities were visually examined by three independent evaluators to find mulberry
stomatitis. Prevalence was expressed as the percentage of affected animals. Results: Significant differences in
the circulating antigen levels were detected between susceptible mice infected with Pb18 and Pb265 and between
susceptible and resistant mice infected with Pb18 16 weeks after inoculation. The highest levels of antibodies were
found when both B10.A and A/Sn mice were infected with Pb18. During infection, no mice showed mulberry-like
lesions in the oral cavity. Conclusion: The virulence of the infecting P. brasiliensis strain, although not specifically
linked to the gp43 antigen, plays a critical role in antigenemia. Despite absent oral lesions-an inherent limitation
of this murine model-this study provides relevant insights into the relationship between fungal virulence and
circulating antigen levels.
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