Global distribution of animal sporotrichosis: A systematic review of Sporothrix sp. identified using molecular tools.

Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous mycosis caused by thermodimorphic fungi of the genus Sporothrix. The phenotypic and genotypic differences of the isolates within the genus Sporothrix have been associated with their geographic distribution, virulence capacity, or clinical manifestation of sporotrichosis. Therefore, it is crucial to identify the causative agent of sporotrichosis. However, there are few case reports and studies in animals compared to those in humans, despite the substantial increase in the number of cases of sporotrichosis by zoonotic transmission, especially in endemic areas. Considering the epidemiological importance, taxonomic evolution and worldwide distribution of these fungi in the last decade, there is interest in identifying the species of the genus Sporothrix in different regions of the world. This study aimed to analyze the geographic distribution of animal sporotrichosis in the world, caused by pathogenic species identified by use of molecular tools. This systematic review of articles from 2007 to 2021 analyzed the geographic distribution of species that cause sporotrichosis in cats, dogs and other animals. It demonstrated that the most identified species were S. brasiliensis, isolated from cats in Brazil and S. schenckii isolated from cats in Malaysia. We show the lack of studies in global areas and reinforce the need to use molecular tools to identify and monitor potential pathogens.

Sporothrix brasiliensis and Feline Sporotrichosis in the Metropolitan Region of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (1998-2018).

Feline sporotrichosis is enzootic in different regions of Brazil, especially in Rio de Janeiro. This study compared the genotype profiles of Sporothrix sp. isolated from cats in Rio de Janeiro between 1998 and 2018 and evaluated their association with clinical and epidemiological characteristics. One hundred nineteen Sporothrix sp. isolates from a cohort of cats with sporotrichosis seen at INI/Fiocruz were included. Clinical and epidemiological data were obtained from the medical records of the animals. T3B PCR fingerprinting was used for molecular identification of the Sporothrix species. All isolates were characterized as Sporothrix brasiliensis, with the observation of low intraspecific variation in 31 isolates (31.3%). The interval between lesion onset and first medical visit at INI/Fiocruz, as well as treatment duration until clinical cure, was longer in cats from the first decade of the epizootic. In addition, the frequency of the variables "good general status" and "presence of lymphadenomegaly" was higher among cats whose strains did not exhibit intraspecific variation. So far, S. brasiliensis has been the only species identified in feline cases of sporotrichosis since the beginning of the epizootic in Rio de Janeiro at INI/Fiocruz.