Disease/Syndrome |
Sporotrichosis |
Category |
Infection, Occupational |
Acute/Chronic |
Subacute |
Synonyms |
Sporothrix schenkii infection |
Biomedical References |
Search PubMed |
Comments |
Sporotrichosis usually follows puncture wounds of the extremities. It is characterized by a growing nodule at the wound site and the development of firm cords in the draining lymphatics. Nodules may ulcerate. Complications are rare except in patients with AIDS or other chronic diseases and include arthritis, osteomyelitis, and pulmonary infections. [CCDM, p. 495-7] Zoonotic transmission has been described from cat bites and scratches or from handling infected cats and horses with skin lesions. The two types of cutaneous sporotrichosis are the lymphocutaneous form and the fixed cutaneous or plaque form that does not spread by the lymph vessels. In patients with underlying COPD, S. schenkii can cause cavitary lung disease similar to tuberculosis or histoplasmosis. The fungus can also cause chronic infections of bones and joints. Widespread infections are seen in some AIDS patients with CD4+ lymphocyte counts less than 200 cells/mL. [ID, p. 1424, 2246-7] Infections may remain localized or spread proximally to involve the regional lymph nodes. Pulmonary sporotrichosis may occur, usually in older patients. From the lungs, the disease can spread to the skin, eyes, and brain. Eye diseases include keratoconjunctivitis, Parinaud's oculoglandular syndrome, and uveitis. [Guerrant, p. 1576-7, 953] The most common sites for extracutaneous sporotrichosis are the bones and joints. Immunocompetent patients usually have involvement at only one site and do not have systemic symptoms. Patients with extracutaneous infections often present without a history of previous skin involvement. Common sites are the elbow, ankle, and knee, but not the hip, shoulder, or spine. [PPID, p.2984-6] |
Latency/Incubation |
1 week to 3 months |
Diagnostic |
Culture; Fungal stains of biopsy specimens |
ICD-9 Code |
117.1 |
Effective Antimicrobics |
Yes |
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Image |
U. of Iowa - Photo of Sporotrichosis |
Related Information in Haz-Map |
Symptoms/Findings |
Symptoms/Findings associated with this disease:
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Job Tasks |
High risk job tasks associated with this disease:
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