Analysis of biofilm formation by Sporothrix schenckii.

The development of mature biofilms is an aid in numerous aspects of the life cycle of fungi. It is well known that Sporothrix schenckii complex causes a benign subcutaneous mycosis, but recent studies have suggestedthat biofilm formation may be one of the important factors involved in its virulence. Here we report the study of the biomass organization and a model of the stages of S. schenckii biofilm development: adsorption, active adhesion, microcolony formation, maturation, and dispersal of biofilm fragments. During the development, the biofilm is surrounded by extracellular matrix, which contains glycoprotein (mannose rich), carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acid. In addition, the extracellular DNA increases in extracellular matrix as a key component to structural integrity and antifungal resistance. The study of S. schenckii biofilm contributes to a better understanding of growth biofilm and physiology, adding new insights into the mechanisms of virulence and persistence of pathogenic microorganisms.

Differences in clinical ocular outcomes between exogenous and endogenous endophthalmitis caused by Sporothrix: a systematic review of published literature.

BACKGROUND: Sporotrichosis is an implantation mycosis caused by Sporothrix species prevalent worldwide, which occasionally can also result in intraocular infection presenting as an exogenous or endogenous infection (disseminated sporotrichosis). Knowledge in its clinical recognition and management is limited. AIMS: To systematically review and analyse data from published literature with a view to comparing clinical outcomes between exogenous and endogenous endophthalmitis caused by Sporothrix. METHODS: Case reports of intraocular sporotrichosis, published from 1960 to 2016, were retrieved from MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, LILACS and SciELO databases. The entire data set was divided into two patient groups: (1) exogenous endophthalmitis and (2) endogenous endophthalmitis. Primary outcomes were differences in ocular findings and clinical ocular outcomes between the two groups. RESULTS: From 16 publications retrieved, a total of 8 eyes of 8 patients with exogenous endophthalmitis and 13 eyes of 10 patients with endogenous endophthalmitis were identified. Compared with exogenous endophthalmitis, endogenous endophthalmitis was more common in patients infected with HIV (p=0.001) and those from hyperendemic areas (p=0.036). Anterior uveitis (p=0.015) and posterior uveitis (p=0.04) were more common in the exogenous and endogenous endophthalmitis groups, respectively. The majority of patients with endogenous endophthalmitis had partial or full clinical resolution of ocular lesions with systemic amphotericin B alone or in combination with an oral antifungal, whereas patients with exogenous endophthalmitis had poor outcomes with irreversible vision loss, enucleation and evisceration. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior uveitis is more common in exogenous endophthalmitis with worse overall outcomes and complications, compared with endogenous endophthalmitis where posterior uveitis is the most common clinical manifestation, especially in patients infected with HIV and those from hyperendemic areas. Sporothrix infection should be included in the differential diagnosis for ocular inflammation, regardless of the presence or absence of autoimmune comorbidities and whether the patient resides in an endemic area or not. Ophthalmologists should consider intravitreal and systemic antifungal therapy for exogenous and endogenous endophthalmitis caused by Sporothrix.

Sporothrix brasiliensis produces the highest levels of oxidative stress in a murine model among the species of the Sporothrix schenckii complex.

INTRODUCTION:: We compared indicators of oxidative stress in the tissue of mice infected with strains from Sporothrix schenckii complex. METHODS:: Mice were inoculated with Sporothrix brasiliensis, Sporothrix schenckii sensu stricto, Sporothrix globosa, Sporothrix mexicana or Sporothrix albicans. The activity of catalase and glutathione were accessed in the liver and spleen. RESULTS:: Animals infected with S. brasiliensis exhibited splenomegaly and significant decrease in catalase activity, and protein and non-protein thiol content compared to animals infected with the other species. CONCLUSIONS:: Sporothrix brasiliensis exhibits higher pathogenicity compared to other species of the Sporothrix schenckii complex by increasing oxidative stress in animal tissue.

Sporothrix brasiliensis produces the highest levels of oxidative stress in a murine model among the species of the Sporothrix schenckii complex

Abstract INTRODUCTION: We compared indicators of oxidative stress in the tissue of mice infected with strains from Sporothrix schenckii complex. METHODS: Mice were inoculated with Sporothrix brasiliensis, Sporothrix schenckii sensu stricto, Sporothrix globosa, Sporothrix mexicana or Sporothrix albicans. The activity of catalase and glutathione were accessed in the liver and spleen. RESULTS: Animals infected with S. brasiliensis exhibited splenomegaly and significant decrease in catalase activity, and protein and non-protein thiol content compared to animals infected with the other species. CONCLUSIONS: Sporothrix brasiliensis exhibits higher pathogenicity compared to other species of the Sporothrix schenckii complex by increasing oxidative stress in animal tissue.

Esporotricose / Sporotrichosis

Os autores relatam o caso de uma paciente portadora de esporotricose cutâneo-linfática, com comprometimento de antebraço e braço direitos. Tratada com droga específica (itraconazol) e acompanhada durante seis meses, obteve a cura ao final do tratamento, persistindo apenas as cicatrizes das lesões.

A clinical case of a patiente bearing cutaneous-lymphatic sporotrichosis with right forearm and arm involvement is presented. She was treated with specific drug (itraconazole) and followed a 6-months and she got the cure in the end of the treatment persisting only the scars of the injuries.

Endemic of zoonotic sporotrichosis: profile of cases in children.

BACKGROUND: Sporotrichosis in childhood is rare in most countries. Isolated cases and small outbreaks related to recreational activities or without identification of the transmission mechanism have been reported. METHODS: Series of case reports. The isolation of Sporothrix schenckii from exudates or fragments of lesions obtained from the patients was used as the criterion of inclusion in the study. RESULTS: A total of 81 cases of sporotrichosis in children younger than 15 years of age were diagnosed at the Evandro Chagas Research Institute, Fiocruz, Brazil, between 1998 and 2004. These cases are part of the endemic disease occurring in Rio de Janeiro related to contact with domestic cats. There was a predominance of girls in the 10-14 year age group. The most frequent clinical form was the cutaneouslymphatic form located on the upper limbs. Itraconazole was used as the first-choice treatment. Sixty-six patients were cured, 9 were lost to follow-up, and 6 had spontaneous regression of the lesions. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest series of childhood sporotrichosis with zoonotic transmission. The clinical presentation of sporotrichosis in children followed the same pattern of the disease in adults in this ongoing endemic.

Disseminated sporotrichosis presenting with granulomatous inflammatory multiple mononeuropathies.

We describe a case of sporotrichosis that disseminated to involve multiple nerves after initiation of immunosuppressive therapy and then precipitously worsened after withdrawal of therapy. This case illustrates that multiple mononeuropathies are not always caused by vasculitis, and a correct pathological diagnosis should be established before treatment. Based on clinical and pathological features, the mechanism of neuropathy may have been due to either direct nerve infection or a bystander effect of inflammatory/immune damage or, perhaps more likely, to both mechanisms.

Pulmonary Sporothrix schenckii infection in a HIV positive child.

Sporothrix schenckii is a ubiquitous fungus, causing mostly non life-threatening localized infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissues that can be treated with oral antifungal agents. Meningeal, pulmonary and osteoarticular dissemination occur mainly in immunosuppressed patients. Pulmonary sporotrichosis is rare and responds poorly to treatment. Cases of disseminated sporotrichosis have most frequently been reported in patients residing in South America and Asia, and have increasingly been reported in AIDS patients. The distribution and pathogenicity of S. schenckii in Sub-Saharan Africa is not well known. We report a case of invasive pulmonary sporotrichosis in an eleven year old HIV-infected boy in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, successfully treated with oral fluconazole.

Cutaneous sporotrichosis in Himachal Pradesh, India.

During the period 1990-2002 in Himachal Pradesh, India, 103 new patients with cutaneous sporotrichosis were detected. Lymphocutaneous and fixed cutaneous varieties were the most common and seen in 49% and 43% respectively. Chronic non-specific inflammation without granuloma formation was seen in 46% skin biopsy specimens, 29% showed acute or chronic inflammation and tuberculoid granuloma formation was seen in 25%. In 32% of cases Sporothrix schenckii growth was seen on Sabouraud glucose agar. A saturated solution of potassium iodide was used as first-line treatment and in 93% patients healing of lesions occurred in 4-32 weeks (average 8.7 weeks) without significant side-effects. Itraconazole, used in 12 patients, was highly effective in recommended doses. Rapid healing was seen with higher than previously used doses of fluconazole in one patient who also had unusual exacerbation of lesional inflammation with saturated solution of potassium iodide.

Cat-transmitted sporotrichosis epidemic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: description of a series of cases.

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.

Subcutaneous bilateral sporotrichosis: a rare presentation.

Sporotrichosis is the most common subcutaneous mycosis observed in Brazil as well as in different regions of the world. We report a rare case of sporotrichosis in a Caucasian male agricultural worker whose lesions occurred bilaterally and simultaneously on the upper limbs.

Localized lymphatic sporotrichosis after fish-induced injury (Tilapia sp.).

Localized lymphatic sporotrichosis generally develops after the fungus Sporothrix schenckii is traumatically introduced into skin or mucosa by contaminated plant material. An 18-year-old male fisherman was injured by spines of the dorsal fin of a fish on the left third finger. The lesion became ulcerated, edematous and suppurative and did not respond to tetracycline and cephalexin. Fifteen days after the accident, a nodular lymphangitic pattern of swelling was observed. Histopathological findings and an intradermal test were suggestive of sporotrichosis and mycological cultures confirmed the diagnosis. The lesions resolved after oral treatment with potassium iodide. Sporotrichosis is a common subcutaneous mycosis in Brazil, and there is a previous report in the literature of this disease being acquired via trauma involving fish spines.

Sporothrix schenckii thermo-intolerant mutants losing fatal visceral infectivity but retaining high cutaneous infectivity.

Four mutants of the Sporothrix schenckii lung isolate IFM 41598 were isolated by their inability to form colonies on a Sabouraud glucose agar plate incubated at 37 degrees C for 4 days. In contrast to the parent IFM 41598, these thermo-intolerant mutants were all defective in producing fatal visceral infections in mice, even though they retained infectivity in footpad tissues with a small fungal inoculum (approximately equals 10 cfu).

Endemic sporotrichosis.

Although first reported more than a century ago, sporotrichosis, caused by Sporothrix schenckii, still remains a poorly studied disease. Results from recently published studies on sporotrichosis in endemic areas are summarised and assembled with previous findings, providing a comprehensive review that highlights the needs for further research.