Sporotrichosis, also known as rose handlers disease, is a fungal infection that affects skin, lungs, bone and joint, and can be widespread. It presents with firm painless nodules that later ulcerate. It can be localized or widespread. The disease progresses over a week to several months after the initial exposure to the fungus. Serious complications can also develop in people who have a weakened immune system.Sporotrichosis is caused by fungi of the Sporothrix schenckii species complex. Because S. schenckii is naturally found in soil, hay, sphagnum moss, and plants, it usually affects farmers, gardeners, and agricultural workers. It enters through small cuts in the skin to cause the infection. In case of sporotrichosis affecting the lungs, the fungal spores enter by breathing in. Sporotrichosis can also be acquired from handling cats with the disease; it is an occupational hazard for veterinarians.Treatment depends on the site and extent of infection. Topical antifungals can be applied to skin lesions. Deep infection in lungs may require surgery. Medications used include Itraconazole, posaconazole and amphotericin B. With treatment most people recover. The outcome may not be so good if there is a weak immune system or widespread disease.The causal fungus is found worldwide. The species was named for Benjamin Schenck, a medical student who in 1896 was the first to isolate it from a human specimen.It has been reported in cats, mules, dogs, mice and rats. Signs and symptoms
Cutaneous or skin sporotrichosisThis is the most common form of this disease.
The confirming diagnosis remains culturing the fungus from the skin, sputum, synovial fluid, and cerebrospinal fluid. Smears should be taken from the draining tracts and ulcers. Cats with sporotrichosis are unique in that the exudate from their lesions may contain numerous organisms. This makes cytological evaluation of exudate a valuable diagnostic tool in this species. Exudate is pyogranulomatous and phagocytic cells may be packed with yeast forms. These are variable in size, but many are cigar-shaped. Differential diagnosis
Differential diagnosis includes: leishmaniasis, nocardiosis, mycobacterium marinum, cat-scratch disease, leprosy, syphilis, sarcoidosis and tuberculosis. Prevention
The majority of sporotrichosis cases occur when the fungus is introduced through a cut or puncture in the skin while handling vegetation containing the fungal spores. Prevention of this disease includes wearing long sleeves and gloves while working with soil, hay bales, rose bushes, pine seedlings, and sphagnum moss. The risk of sporotrichosis in cats is increased in male cats that roam outdoors. Accordingly, the risk may be reduced by keeping cats indoors or neutering them. Isolating infected animals can also be a preventive measure. The risk of spread from infected cats to humans can be reduced by appropriate biosafety measures, including wearing protective equipment when handling a cat with suspected sporotrichosis and by washing hands, arms and clothing after handling the cat. Treatment
Treatment of sporotrichosis depends on the severity and location of the disease. The following are treatment options for this condition:
Oral potassium iodidePotassium iodide is an anti-fungal drug that is widely used as a treatment for cutaneous sporotrichosis.