Paracoccidioidomycosis in a woman with idiopathic hirsutism.

Paracoccidioidomycosis, especially the chronic pulmonary form of the disease, is not commonly described in females. Data from in vitro and vivo studies support the hypothesis that estrogens might influence the pathogenesis of paracoccidioidomycosis in humans by inhibition of transition of conidia or mycelia to yeast form of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. The authors describe a chronic progressive pulmonary form of paracoccidioidomycosis in a woman with idiopathic hirsutism. In addition to estrogens, the present report suggests that other hormonal factors might play an important role in the pathogenesis of paracoccidioidomycosis, including the increased production of 5alpha-dehydrotestosterone frequently described in individuals with idiopathic hirsutism.