Resumo

CAVALLO, M. et al. Epidemiologic study of paracoccidioidomycosis in the community of Guapa, in the Municipalty of Andrés Eloy Blanco, Lara state, Venezuela, October 2002-february 2002. Rev. Soc. Ven. Microbiol. [online]. 2002, vol.22, n.2, pp.158-163. ISSN 1315-2556.

Abstract The objective of this investigation, was to determine the prevalence of Paracoccidioidomycosis in the community of Guapa, in the Municipality of Andrés Eloy Blanco of Lara State. 366 people were studied, all of who were subjected to a structured interview, physical examination and application of the paracoccidioidine intradermal test, resulting in a 47% positivity rate, of which 58% were men and 35% were between the ages of 12 and 24. 83% of the positive reactors are dedicated to agricultural labors, of these 90% are dedicated to coffee farming. 53% of the people dedicated to coffee farming were positive to the test, while only 43% of the people that didn't work with coffee were positive. 71% of the people with positive tests were asymptomatic and 29% presented unspecific symptoms. There was only one case of Paracoccidioides disease (0,27%). These results constitute reference material for the development of future investigations and control programs for the prevention of this mycosis

Palavras-chave : Paracoccidioidomicosis; micosis; profunda; paracoccidioidina; epidemiología.