Cutaneous Sporotrichosis Research Articles

Spotting sporotrichosis skin infection: The first Australian paediatric case series.

Sporotrichosis is a dermatomycosis caused by the dimorphic fungus, Sporothrix schenckii, with various outbreaks across Australia attributed to mouldy hay. Our objective was to investigate the clinical presentation and management of cutaneous sporotrichosis in a paediatric population of Western Australia. A retrospective case review was performed for S. schenckii infections in children below 18 years, between January 2000 and November 2017. Cases were identified from the state-wide laboratory database and additional clinical data obtained from medical records. Thirty-two cases of microbiologically proven S. schenckii infection were identified, mostly from rural areas (n = 20, 63%). Complete clinical data were available for 11 cases (34%). The most common risk factors were exposure to farm animals and hay, arthropod bites and outdoor activities. The median duration from symptom onset to correct diagnosis was 6 weeks (interquartile range: 4-7 weeks). Most cases were initially treated with multiple, broad-spectrum antibacterial agents (n = 7, 64%). Targeted therapy (itraconazole) was used in all cases once the diagnosis was made, with a median treatment duration of 5 months (interquartile range: 4-6 months). Morbidity included scarring (n = 4, 31%), itraconazole associated diarrhoea (n = 1, 8%) and mild hepatotoxicity (n = 1, 8%). Summarising the clinical experience of these cases is a useful guide for clinical recognition and may serve to shorten the interval between onset and diagnosis, and avoid the need for antibacterial therapy. These data highlight the importance of recognising Sporotrichosis in children outside an outbreak setting, leading to timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment with antifungal agents.

Disseminated Cutaneous and Osteoarticular Sporotrichosis Mimicking Pyoderma Gangrenosum

Disseminated sporotrichosis may present with inflammatory arthritis and cutaneous ulcerations that mimic noninfectious skin conditions such as pyoderma gangreonsum (PG). Sporotrichosis must therefore be ruled out before administering immunosuppressive agents for PG. Furthermore, dimorphic fungi such as sporotrichosis may grow as yeast in bacterial cultures, even before fungal cultures become positive. We present a case of disseminated cutaneous and osteoarticular sporotrichosis mimicking PG and describe the differential diagnosis and the diagnostic and treatment approach to this condition.

Application of platelet-rich plasma and platelet lysate in the treatment of experimental lymphocutaneous sporotrichosi.

Background and Purpose:Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous and chronic fungal infection that is caused by a dimorphic fungus, namely Sporothrix schenckii sensu lato. Lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis is the most clinical form, which accounts for nearly 80% of the cases of cutaneous sporotrichosis. Platelets contain several substances with antimicrobial properties. Regarding this, the present study was performed to investigate the effect of blood-based biomaterials, especially platelets in the treatment of lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis.Materials and Methods:This study was performed on 12 golden hamsters, divided into three groups of control, platelet-rich plasma, and platelet lysate. For the purpose of the study, Sporothrix conidia suspension was injected subcutaneously on the back of the animals. After the induction of subcutaneous lesions, the Gomori methenamine silver method was applied to verify lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis. Subsequently, plasma-rich platelet and platelet lysate were injected into the created lesions in the animals in 3-day intervals (due to the short lifetime of platelets). In the final sage, skin tissue samples were examined to check for the presence of yeast cells and their quantification.Results:The data were indicative of the presence of yeast cells with/without bud in the tissue of lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis lesions in the infected animals. Histological investigation revealed that each of the two biomaterials under study (i.e., plasma-rich platelet and platelet lysate) played a positive role in the removal of the yeast cells of sporotrichosis.Conclusion:The results of this study showed that both plasma-rich platelet and platelet lysate were able to effectively prevent from the progression of cutaneous sporotrichosis. Accordingly, much attention has been given to new therapies, including treatment with blood-derived biomaterials.

Retrospective Analysis of Patients with Cutaneous Sporotrichosis: Unusual Cause of Non-Healing Ulcers

Retrospective Analysis of Patients with Cutaneous Sporotrichosis: Unusual Cause of Non-Healing Ulcers

Cutaneous sporotrichosis with dermoscopic features: A case report

Objective: Sporotrichosis is a fungal skin infection caused by Sporothrix schenckii. We report a 70- year-old female presenting with an erythematous nodule on her right forefinger after a rose thorn prick. Material and Methods: The nodule was histopathologically diagnosed as sporotrichosis. Dermoscopy of the nodule revealed structureless white areas with a lobular arrangement, prominent scaling, blood spots, and polymorphous vessels including coiled, punctate and looped vessels. Dermoscopy has opened a new horizon in the diagnosis of skin infections in recent years. Conclusion: The dermoscopic features of sporotrichosis have not yet been reported as far as we are aware. We believe that coexistence of the above features, which could be thought to be nonspecific when seen separately, may be of diagnostic significance and a helpful tool in the diagnosis of cutaneous sporotrichosis.

Pediatric Sporotrichosis in Jilin Province of China (2010-2016): a Retrospective Study of 704 Cases.

Pediatric patients make a substantial contribution to the epidemiologic profile of sporotrichosis in Jilin Province, a region of China in which the disease is strongly endemic. However, the exact epidemiologic and clinical manifestations of childhood sporotrichosis in China are unclear. The medical records of 704 pediatric patients aged <15 years with sporotrichosis diagnosed by fungus culture at the Department of Dermatology at the First Hospital of Jilin University in a 7-year period (January 2010 to December 2016) were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were from rural areas of Jilin Province, located in northeast China. Among the 704 pediatric patients, the male/female ratio was 1.41:1, and the highest incidence of sporotrichosis (63%) occurred in those aged 0 to 6 years; 561 patients (80%) contracted sporotrichosis in a colder month. Overall, 655 (93%) patients had lesions in the facial region, whereas 602 (86%) patients had fixed cutaneous sporotrichosis. The incidence of the fixed cutaneous form in the 0- to 6-year age group was significantly higher than that in the 7- to 14-year age group (P = .009). Patients were treated with 10% potassium iodide solution, itraconazole, or terbinafine. The characteristics of pediatric sporotrichosis in Jilin Provence include the following: (1) a more frequent occurrence in the colder months; (2) the facial region is affected predominantly, in most cases manifesting in the fixed cutaneous form; and (3) significantly more cases occur in younger children than in older ones. Decaying cornstalks used as fire materials might be the source of infection in this population; however, additional research is needed to explore the exact mechanism of infection.

Fixed cutaneous sporotrichosis

Fixed cutaneous sporotrichosis

Electrosurgery as Adjuvant Therapy for Cutaneous Sporotrichosis

Soeiro Sampaio, Felipe Maurício MD, MSc; Sguissardi de Oliveira, Daniele MD; Saraiva Freitas, Dayvison Francis MD, PhD; Francesconi do Valle, Antonio Carlos MD, PhD Author Information

Facial Cutaneous Sporotrichosis in a Boy

Facial Cutaneous Sporotrichosis in a Boy

Closing the Brief Case: Cutaneous Sporotrichosis in an Immunocompetent Patient after Travel to Peru.

Closing the Brief Case: Cutaneous Sporotrichosis in an Immunocompetent Patient after Travel to Peru.

Unusual presentation of disseminated cutaneous sporotrichosis in an immunocompetent patient

Unusual presentation of disseminated cutaneous sporotrichosis in an immunocompetent patient

Sporotrichin Skin Test for the Diagnosis of Sporotrichosis.

Sporotrichosis is the most common implantation mycosis caused by several species of the Sporothrix schenckii complex. The gold standard for diagnosis is concerned with the isolation of the fungus; although, fresh examinations, staining, and biopsies are also helpful for this purpose. The sporotrichin is an antigenic complex comprised of a peptide-rhamnomannan, which is relevant with respect to pathogenic fungi; it is primarily used for serological and skin testing. We present a study regarding the use of sporotrichin as a diagnostic aid for cutaneous sporotrichosis. Furthermore, 138 cases with suspicion of sporotrichosis were included, 55 of which were proven through cultures. Moreover, out of these 55 cases, 52 (94.5%) tested positive for sporotrichin, while the negative cases corresponded to the disseminated cutaneous forms. We observed a sensitivity of 94.5% and a specificity of 95.2%. We consider that the use of sporotrichin as a skin test helps us as an auxiliary diagnosis before a positive sample culture.

A Diabetic Elderly Man with Finger Ulcer.

Fixed cutaneous sporotrichosis is a differential diagnosis that can be considered in diabetic patients who present with a poorly healing ulcer. Although its prevalence is low, it can occur in patients with immunocompromised status. Here we report a case of a 70-year-old man with diabetes mellitus who presented with a 1-month history of an unhealed ulcer over the tip of his left middle finger. He experienced a cat bite over his left middle finger 1 month prior to the appearance of the lesion. A skin biopsy revealed the presence of Sporothrix schenckii. Oral itraconazole 200 mg twice daily was started empirically and the patient showed marked improvement in the skin lesion after 2 months of therapy.

Report of 73 cases of cutaneous sporotrichosis in Mexico

We report 73 cases of cutaneous sporotrichosis from the Community Dermatology program, at the central and mountain areas of the state of Guerrero, Mexico. A similar number of cases was found between children and adults, mostly peasants and school-age children with rural occupations. Upper limbs were the mostly affected and the predominant clinical form was lymphocutaneous (56.16%). All cultures corresponded to Sporothrix schenckii (sl). Treatment was done with potassium iodide in 54 patients, achieving clinical and mycological cure in all cases.

Disseminated cutaneous sporotrichosis: an unusual case

Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous mycosis caused by Sporothrix schenckii with endemic regions in the American continent. Clinical features depend on the immunological patient state and some characteristics of the fungus. Disseminated cutaneous sporotrichosis is a rare variant usually described in immunocompromised patients. A 42-year-old man was admitted with multiple verrucous and erythematous papules and plaques of the face and limbs. Many lesions showed an ulcerated and crusted component, some papules displayed linear arrangement, and some verrucous plaques exhibited black spots. Skin biopsy revealed pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia and granulomas in the papillary dermis. Culture of a skin sample grew Sporothrix schenkii. We report an unusual presentation of disseminated cutaneous sporotrichosis, which was a diagnostic challenge owing to polymorphism and spread of the lesions in a patient without an immunosuppressive state.

Prospective analysis of perinatal outcome of pregnant women with asymptomatic bacteriuria

Objective: Isolated case reports describing the utility of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) in the diagnosis of Lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis are available in the literature. Since Himachal Pradesh in India is a known endemic area for cutaneous sporotrichosis, this study was conducted to assess the utility of FNAC in the detection of fungal spores for the diagnosis of lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis. Methods: FNAC and biopsy were performed from the nodules and indurated ulcers of fifty clinically diagnosed cases of lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis. Smears were reviewed for cytomorphological findings and were correlated with the histopathological findings. Positive cases were further subjected to culture for confirmation. Results: In our study, the sensitivity and specificity of FNAC in diagnosing lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis were 35% and 100% respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of biopsy in diagnosing lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis were 10% and 100% respectively. All seven cases diagnosed on FNAC were confirmed on fungal culture. Conclusions: FNAC is an effective, useful and a minimally invasive procedure. FNAC is comparatively better than biopsy in detection of fungal spores in the diagnosis of lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis. With an experienced cytologist, it can be used routinely for the diagnosis for lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis.

A case of cutaneous sporotrichosis highlighting the importance of accurate diagnosis before determining definitive treatment options

A case of cutaneous sporotrichosis highlighting the importance of accurate diagnosis before determining definitive treatment options

Cutaneous sporotrichosis as an occupational disease: Case report

Cutaneous sporotrichosis as an occupational disease: Case report

Disseminated cutaneous sporotrichosis presenting as a necrotic facial mass: Case and review

Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous mycotic infection caused by Sporothrix schenckii, a group of common saprophytes of soil, plants, and organic debris. Disseminated forms may be seen in the setting of immunosuppression and are typically treated initially with intravenous lipidized amphotericin B. We report an unusual case of a 65-year-old woman who developed disseminated cutaneous sporotrichosis with extensive facial involvement in the absence of a known primary inoculation. Her cutaneous lesions completely resolved after treatment with intravenous posaconazole without amphotericin B.

Is There Any Difference between the In Situ and Systemic IL-10 and IFN-γ Production when Clinical Forms of Cutaneous Sporotrichosis Are Compared?

Fungus of the Sporothrix schenckii complex can produce skin lesions in humans, commonly lymphocutaneous (LC) and fixed (F) forms of sporotrichosis. Some authors have suggested that clinical forms are influenced by differences in virulence and genetic profile of isolates. But little is known about the role of immune response in determining the clinical outcome of sporotrichosis. To verify the profile of systemic and in situ IFN-γ and IL-10 expression in sporotrichosis patients, and consequently to detect any difference between the two compartments and/or clinical presentation, we quantified the number of IFN-γ and IL-10 producer peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with S. schenckii antigen (Ss-Ag) by Elispot, and quantified cytokines expression by in situ immunohistochemistry in the same patient. Three groups were formed: 1- LC (n = 9); 2- F (n = 10); 3- healthy individuals (n = 14). All sporotrichosis patients produced high amounts of systemic IFN- γ when compared to uninfected individuals. No differences were observed between LC and F groups. Regarding in situ IL-10 expression, a difference between LC and F groups was observed: LC lesions presented higher amounts of IL-10 than F lesions differently from systemic IL-10 which showed similarities. Our data suggests that LC lesions present higher IL-10 expression which could be related to regulatory mechanisms for compensating the tissue injury, however favoring fungal persistence in the lesions. Surprisingly, there were no differences in systemic and in situ IFN- γ expression between CL and F patients, although it was significantly higher expressed in these patients than in healthy individuals.