SPOROTRICHOSIS
Sporotrichosis is a chronic, granulomatous and usually lymphocutaneous infection affecting humans and animals. The aetiologic agent, Sporothrix schenckii, is a dimorphic fungus usually found as a mould in plant debris, soil and water, and as a yeast in infected tissues of the hosts.
Sporotrichosis is distributed worldwide, mainly in areas with high humidity and mild temperatures. In Europe, sporotrichosis is endemic in Spain and Italy. The disease has been described in horses, dogs, cats, cattle, camels, fowls, swine, rats, mice, hamsters, chimpanzees and humans. No data are available on sporotrichoses in wild animals in Europe. Data collected from wild mammals in Latin America show seropositive responses to the sporotrichin test in 6% of Cebidae, 64% of Procyonidae and 30% of Felidae, suggesting that these animals could represent reservoirs of sporotrichosis in these areas. Severe necrotizing granulomatous lymphadenitis caused by S. schenckii has been diagnosed in a Pacific whitesided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens), and systemic sporotrichosis has been reported in nine -banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctusfi1°λv,.The main route of sporotrichosis infection is through skin wounds and, more sporadically, through the inhalation of conidia. The most common presentation of sporotrichosis is a chronic granulomatous lymphocutaneous infection that, in immunocompromised individuals, can spread systemically. The lesions consist of small, firm, nonpainful, non-pruritic, cutaneous or subcutaneous nodules that develop at the site of inoculation after an incubation period of 1—3 months. Typically a single nodule is present that then ulcerates. Additionally lymphangitic nodules may develop and a regional lymphadenopathy may occur. Definitive diagnosis of infection is based on cytological examination of exudates, histological examination of a biopsy specimen, or isolation of S. schenckii by fungal culture. Although cases of spontaneous resolution of sporotrichosis have been reported, most patients require longterm treatment.