Cat‐Transmitted Sporotrichosis Epidemic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Description of a Series of Cases

TLDR

Sporotrichosis, the most common subcutaneous mycosis in South America, typically results from traumatic inoculation of soil, vegetables, or organic matter contaminated with Sporothrix schenckii, but zoonotic transmission has also been reported in isolated cases or small outbreaks. From 1998 to 2001, 178 culture‑proven sporotrichosis cases were diagnosed in Rio de Janeiro, mainly female (median age 39) with lymphocutaneous disease, and 156 had contact with infected cats—97 of whom had cat scratches or bites—indicating that feline transmission underlies a large, long‑lasting outbreak treated with itraconazole.

Abstract

Sporotrichosis is the most common subcutaneous mycosis in South America. Classic infection is associated with traumatic inoculation of soil, vegetables, and organic matter contaminated with Sporothrix schenckii. Zoonotic transmission has been described in isolated cases or in small outbreaks. Since 1998, we have been observing an increasing number of cases of sporotrichosis in persons from the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and surroundings. From 1998 to 2001, 178 cases of culture-proven sporotrichosis had been diagnosed. Female patients predominated, and the median age was 39 years. The most frequent clinical presentation was lymphocutaneous disease. Of the 178 patients, 156 reported domiciliary or professional contact with cats with sporotrichosis, and 97 of these patients had a history of receipt of cat scratch or bite. The patients received itraconazole as first-line treatment. This study suggests that feline transmission of sporotrichosis was associated with a large and long-lasting outbreak of the disease in Rio de Janeiro.