SPOROTRICHOSIS IN CHILDREN: A FORGOTTEN ENTITY

Abstract

Sporotrichosis is regarded as the most common subcutaneous fungal mycosis, which occurs following traumatic inoculation of Sporothrix schenckii complex. Albeit rare, sporotrichosis, also known as 'rose gardener's disease', has been reported to involve children whereby active or passive transmission through a vector such as domestic animals has been identified as the main culprit. Herein, we report sporotrichosis in a pair of siblings who presented to the outpatient Otorhinolaryngology clinic in University Malaya Medical Centre with a lower lips skin lesion and submental swelling after kissing their domestic cat. Sporotrichosis was diagnosed following the fungal culture of the skin scrapings of the lower lip’s pustular lesions. Prompt treatment with oral itraconazole (8 mg/kg/day) for six weeks showed the resolution of symptoms. We highlight the pathophysiology of zoonotic sporotrichosis and the mode of management of this entity. Additionally, the management of sporotrichosis should include the veterinarian's assessment of the infected animal.