Profile and temporal dynamics of the feline sporotrichosis epidemic in southern Brazil: A forecasting analysis.

A detailed clinical-epidemiological analysis of feline sporotrichosis was conducted, and 288 cases reported between the years 2007 and 2018 were analyzed. The studied cases primarily involved mongrel cats (240/260), males (212/282), and adults (121/200). The main objectives were to identify the risk factors, calculate the monthly incidence rates, and establish a predictive model using the seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) approach. The statistical analysis revealed significant associations (p < 0.05) between prolonged lesion evolution times and factors such as respiratory signs, prior treatments, and lesion contact. Empirical treatment was identified as a significant risk factor for disease progression. Moreover, the number of cases demonstrated an increasing trend over the study period, with annual peaks noted in disease incidence. The SARIMA model proved to be an effective tool for forecasting the incidence of sporotrichosis, offering robust support for epidemiological surveillance and facilitating targeted public health interventions in endemic regions. The predictive accuracy of the developed model underscored its utility in enhancing disease monitoring and supporting proactive health measures for the effective management of sporotrichosis.

Sporotrichosis in dogs: epidemiological and clinical-therapeutic profile and the emergence of itraconazole-resistant isolates.

Sporotrichosis is a neglected and emerging mycosis caused by the traumatic implantation of Sporothrix propagules into the (sub)cutaneous tissues of humans and animals. We evaluated canine sporotrichosis's clinical-therapeutic, epidemiological profile, and in vitro susceptibility of isolates to itraconazole. The variables were evaluated by a chi-square test. A total of 69 dogs were infected with Sporothrix spp., and the molecular identification revealed an overwhelming occurrence of S. brasiliensis as the etiological agent. The epidemiological profile was male (56.5%), adults (4.9 ± 1.92 years old; 69.6%), and mongrels (53.6%). The clinical signs were 76.8%, ulcers, draining tracts, and nodules were predominant, mainly in the nasal region (82.2%). Dogs were diagnosed late with an evolution time of up to 3 months (34.8%). According to the prior therapeutic information, 52.2% received empirical therapy, 79.2% antibiotics, and had a 0.29 significantly greater chance of presenting lesion evolution time ˃ 3 months (P < .05; Odds Ratio [OR] 1/0.29). Additionally, 25 S. brasiliensis isolates recovered between 2006-2012 (n = 15; Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC): 0.06-2 µg/ml) and 2013-2018 (n = 10; MIC: 2→16 µg/ml) were tested against itraconazole (ITZ). These findings highlighted the resistance to ITZ in clinical cases due to S. brasiliensis occurring after 2013, showing the temporal evolution of ITZ-resistance. We warn of the importance of accurate and early diagnosis in Sporothrix-affected areas, and we report the emergence of ITZ-resistant isolates in Southern Brazil.

Sporotrichosis is a fungal zoonosis. We investigated the clinical-therapeutic, epidemiological profile, and in vitro susceptibility of isolates to itraconazole (ITZ) in canine cases in Southern Brazil. Our study highlighted the emergence of ITZ-resistant Sporothrix brasiliensis and the main challenges for clinical control of this neglected disease.

Inhibitory effect of sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine digluconate in clinical isolates of Sporothrix schenckii.

The susceptibility of Sporothrix schenckii isolates from clinical cases of canine, feline and human sporotrichosis, and from the environment, was evaluated with 4% sodium hypochlorite and 6.6% chlorhexidine digluconate using the broth microdilution, agar diffusion and direct exposure techniques. The minimal inhibitory concentration was smaller than 0.8% for chlorhexidine digluconate and between 8% and 4% for sodium hypochlorite. Inhibition zones were not found in agar diffusion for sodium hypochlorite, and zones averaging 1.9 mm were found for chlorhexidine digluconate. In the direct exposure test, sodium hypochlorite demonstrated best performance at 20 min of contact, as chlorhexidine digluconate presented little antimicrobial activity.