Sporotrichosis
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
Sporothrix schenckii is a globally endemic fungus that causes disease following traumatic inoculation with soil or plant material; most cases are occupational.
Infection can also be associated with spread from infected cats or other digging animals.DIAGNOSIS
Clinical Presentation
• Lymphocutaneous disease is the usual manifestation with localization to skin and soft tissues following the lymphatic vessels proximal to the primary lesion (sporotrichoid pattern or nodular lymphangitis). Differential diagnoses include infection due to S. aureus, nontuberculous mycobacteria, tularemia, and Nocardia spp.
• Pulmonary and disseminated forms of the infection are rarely seen from inhalation of the fungus.
Diagnostic Testing
Diagnosis requires culture or histopathologic demonstration of yeast in tissue or body fluids.38
TREATMENT
See Table 14-13.