Sporotrichosis

Sporotrichosis
Other namesRose thorn disease, rose gardener's disease,[1] rose handler's disease[2]
Cytologic preparation from a case of feline sporotrichosis; phagocytic cells show numerous variably-shaped yeast forms within
SpecialtyInfectious disease
SymptomsFirm painless nodules that later ulcerate.[3]
CausesSporothrix schenckii[1]
Diagnostic method
  • Serology[1]
  • Culture: Skin, sputum, CSF, joint aspirate [1]
Differential diagnosisLeishmaniasis, nocardiosis, mycobacterium marinum,[3] cat-scratch disease, syphilis, leprosy, sarcoidosis, tuberculosis[1]
TreatmentAntifungals, surgery[1]
MedicationItraconazole, posaconazole, amphotericin B[1]
PrognosisGood with treatment, poor if widespread disease[1]

Sporotrichosis, also known as rose handler's disease,[2] is a fungal infection that may be localised to skin, lungs, bone and joint, or become systemic.[2][4] It presents with firm painless nodules that later ulcerate.[3] Following initial exposure to Sporothrix schenckii, the disease typically progresses over a period of a week to several months.[1] Serious complications may develop in people who have a weakened immune system.[1]

Sporotrichosis is caused by fungi of the S. schenckii species complex.[5][6] Because S. schenckii is naturally found in soil, hay, sphagnum moss, and plants, it most often affects farmers, gardeners, and agricultural workers.[7] It enters through small cuts in the skin to cause a fungal infection.[1] In cases of sporotrichosis affecting the lungs, the fungal spores enter by inhalation.[1] Sporotrichosis can be acquired by handling cats with the disease; it is an occupational hazard for veterinarians.[1]

Treatment depends on the site and extent of infection.[1] Topical antifungals may be applied to skin lesions.[1] Deep infection in the lungs may require surgery.[1] Systemic medications used include Itraconazole, posaconazole and amphotericin B.[1] With treatment, most people will recover,[1] but an immunocompromised status and systemic infection carry a worse prognosis.[1]

S. schenkii, the causal fungus, is found worldwide.[1] The species was named for Benjamin Schenck, a medical student who, in 1896, was the first to isolate it from a human specimen.[8]

Sporotrichosis has been reported in cats,[1] mules, dogs, mice and rats.[3]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Milner, Dan A.; Solomon, Isaac (2020). "Sporotrichosis". In Milner, Danny A. (ed.). Diagnostic Pathology: Infectious Diseases. Elsevier. pp. 316–319. ISBN 978-0-323-61138-1.
  2. ^ a b c Proia, Laurie (2020). "28. The dimorphic mycoses". In Spec, Andrej; Escota, Gerome V.; Chrisler, Courtney; Davies, Bethany (eds.). Comprehensive Review of Infectious Diseases. Elsevier. pp. 421–422. ISBN 978-0-323-56866-1.
  3. ^ a b c d James, William D.; Elston, Dirk; Treat, James R.; Rosenbach, Misha A.; Neuhaus, Isaac (2019). "13. Diseases resulting from fungi and yeasts". Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology (13th ed.). Elsevier. pp. 314–315. ISBN 978-0-323-54753-6.
  4. ^ Johnstone, Ronald B. (2017). "25. Mycoses and Algal infections". Weedon's Skin Pathology Essentials (2nd ed.). Elsevier. p. 455. ISBN 978-0-7020-6830-0.
  5. ^ "ICD-11 - ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics". icd.who.int. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  6. ^ López-Romero, Everardo; et al. (2010). "Sporothrix schenckii complex and sporotrichosis, an emerging health problem". Future Microbiology. 6 (1): 85–102. doi:10.2217/fmb.10.157. PMID 21162638.
  7. ^ Ryan KJ, Ray CG, eds. (2004). Sherris Medical Microbiology (4th ed.). McGraw Hill. pp. 654–6. ISBN 978-0-8385-8529-0.
  8. ^ Barros MB, de Almeida Paes R, Schubach AO (October 2011). "Sporothrix schenckii and Sporotrichosis". Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 24 (4): 633–54. doi:10.1128/CMR.00007-11. PMC 3194828. PMID 21976602.