Hypersensitivity reactions in sporotrichosis: A retrospective cohort of 325 patients from a reference hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2005-2018)

Sporotrichosis is a worldwide subcutaneous mycosis caused by thermally dimorphic fungi of the genus Sporothrix. Since 1998, it emerged in Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil with a zoonotic profile, extending to neighboring states and countries. Nowadays, it is considered a Neglected Tropical Disease by the World Health Organization. The Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases (INI), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ) is the main reference for its diagnosis and treatment.

Pathology of sporotrichosis in 10 cats in Rio de Janeiro

Ten cats with sporotrichosis were examined clinically and pathologically. They were in very poor general condition, and had widespread ulcerated cutaneous lesions and respiratory signs. Gross internal abnormalities were found only in the lungs and lymph nodes. Histologically, an inflammatory infiltrate and yeast-like structures were observed in the skin, lungs, liver and lymph nodes. The spleen was congested and contained fungal elements. No microscopical changes were observed in the pancreas, kidneys and heart. Sporothix schenckii was isolated from all the skin samples and nasal swabs obtained in vivo, and from all the samples of lung, liver, spleen, lymph nodes, heart and kidney taken postmortem.

Isolation of Sporothrix schenckii from the nails of domestic cats (Felis catus)

We report the first isolation of Sporothrix schenckii from the nail surfaces of cats. The fungus grew from nail clippings of three cats associated with three household outbreaks of sporotrichosis involving cats and human beings. The identification of the isolates was based on macroscopic and microscopic morphological characteristics at 25 degrees C and conversion of S. schenckii to the yeast-like form at 37 degrees C.