ABSTRACT
In paracoccidioidomycosis the frequency of abdominal lesions varies with the method of evaluation. Since focal lesions are usually asymptomatic, clinical manifestations alone underestimate the number of patients with digestive involvement. In the acute-subacute form of paracoccidioidomycosis intraabdominal lesions are both more frequent and extensive and may be multiple. In addition to more a intense parasitism, young patients present marked lymphadenopathy which secondarily may distribute the fungus throughout the digestive tract. Treatment with antifungal and antiemetic drugs is sufficient to cure the gastric lesion. New radiologic or endoscopic examinations performed after a few months of treatment usually reveal healing of the lesions. The presence of intestinal lesions is ascertained by radiology and endoscopy, complemented with functional tests. Complications are more common in the acute or subacute forms of paracoccidioidomycosis as the patients present greater abdominal dissemination of the fungal infection.
