Unraveling the Nano World in Paracoccidioidomycosis: Promising Applications of Nanotechnology in Diagnosis, Treatment, and Vaccines: A Mini Review.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis caused by fungi of the genus Paracoccidioides. This disease is prevalent in Latin America, with Brazil being an endemic region. This mycosis can be classified as PCM infection, PCM disease and residual PCM. Although diagnosis and treatment exist, they have some limitations, and there is no vaccine available for this disease. Thus, the application of nanotechnology in the biomedical and health areas has become an innovative alternative. In this review, we highlight the main advances in the use of nanotechnology to improve and/or develop methods of diagnosis, treatment and vaccines for PCM. In order to improve diagnostic methods, nanoparticles can be used as biosensors associated with cell biology and spectroscopy techniques. The use of nanomaterials of different shapes and nature can act directly on the pathogen or as drug carriers, maintaining or improving antifungal activity and reducing toxicity in vitro and in vivo. In addition, nanoparticulate systems could be an important tool for vaccine development, stimulating a Th1 response, which is considered protective in PCM.