Recurrence of sporotrichosis in cats with zoonotic involvement

Abstract

The aim of this work is to describe the prevalence of the disease in the same cattery after three years, and to report a case of human sporotrichosis following a cat scratch. In May 1997, four felines presenting a cachexy state and ulcerous lesions on the head, nose and limbs were examined in a veterinary clinic in the town of Rio Grande (RS-Brazil). Exudate and crusts were collected for microbiological diagnosis. The cat's owner returned to the clinic reporting that another eleven felines presented similar lesions. She had ulcerous lesions on her hand and ascending lymphangitis. She was conducted to medical examination where exudate and crusts from the lesions were collected and after the culture Sporothrix schenckii was isolated. After three years the same person sought veterinary assistance for seven more cats with similar lesions to the five previously described. Microbiological tests resulted again in isolation of S. schenckii. Treatment with potassium iodine was effective for the cure of human sporotrichosis, whereas for the felines it showed toxic effect. Only one showed regression of the disease while all the others presented progression of the lesions or even death. The authors call attention to the possible persistence of S. schenckii in cat populations.