The dependence on the weather of the incidency of sporotrichosis

Abstract

1. From 32 cases of sporotrichosis observed in Uruguay between 1929 and 1948, 26 cases contracted the disease during April, May, June and July (Autumn and first half of the Winter) and only six cases during the other 2/3 of the year. 2. Nine patients contracted the infection during 17 days of 1944 (May 21–June 7) and no any other case was contaminated out of this period of 1944. 3. From six cases observed in 1947, five patients contracted the disease during the first week of April. 4. Weather conditions during the named periods of 1944 and 1947 were: A) High values of the relative humidity (almost to saturation during the period of 1944 and 80% during the period of 1947. B) Temperature between 16 and 20° C (mean values) during the last third of May 1944. Temperature between 17 and 19° C during the first week of April 1947. C) Repeated rainfalls were registered during both periods. 5. It is our opinion that weather conditions have a great influence on the incidency of sporotrichosis. The infection is contracted more frequently during April, May, June and July because during these months of the year the weather conditions necessary for the growth ofSporo-trichum Schenckii are more frequently obeyed in Uruguay. 6. Our own observations on the surface in Uruguay, are compared with those of the South-African investigators underground, in the gold mines of the Witwatersrand. The same factors are the causes: high values of the relative humidity (98 to 100%), a suitable temperature, and moist surfaces. 7. The geographical distribution or the geographical incidency of the spo-rotrichosis seem to obey to the climatological conditions.