Sporothrix schenckii isolated from domestic cats with and without sporotrichosis in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Mycopathologia. 2002;153(2):83-6. doi: 10.1023/a:1014449621732.

Abstract

A total of 148 cats with a clinical and mycologic diagnosis of sporotrichosis and 84 apparently healthy cats with domiciliary contact with the affected animals were studied. Sporothrix schenckii was isolated from 148 (n = 148; 100%) clinical samples of cutaneous lesion (biopsy, swab or aspiration of purulent secretion), 47 (n = 71; 66.2%) nasal cavities, 33 (n = 79; 41.8%) oral cavities, and 15 (n = 38; 39.5%) nails of cats with sporotrichosis. Histopathological examination revealed yeast-like structures in 50 (n = 70; 71.4%) of the biopsies studied. S. schenckii was isolated from the blood culture of one cat (n = 5, 20%) with the disseminated cutaneous form of the disease. On another occasion, the fungus was isolated from the testis of one (n = 7; 14.3%) of the animals submitted to sterilization. In the group of cats with domiciliary contacts, 3 (n = 84; 3.57%) oral swabs showed positive cultures. Isolation of S. schenckii from different clinical specimens during both the clinical and preclinical phase reinforces the zoonotic potential of feline sporotrichosis.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brazil
  • Cat Diseases / microbiology*
  • Cats
  • Female
  • Male
  • Mouth Mucosa / microbiology
  • Nails / microbiology
  • Nasal Cavity / microbiology
  • Skin / microbiology
  • Sporothrix / isolation & purification*
  • Sporotrichosis / microbiology
  • Sporotrichosis / veterinary*