Sporotrichosis in Uttarakhand (India): a report of nine cases

Abstract

Background: Sporotrichosis is a chronic granulomatous infection caused by Sporothrichum schenckii. The disease has worldwide distribution. Majority of cases from India are reported from North-eastern states.

Methods: The demographic, clinico-investigative profile and therapeutic results of nine patients with cutaneous sporotrichosis attending the Dermatology Outdoor Department between January 2005 and June 2006 have been compiled.

Results: Out of nine (male-4, female-5) patients, five had lymphocutaneous-type sporotrichosis while four had fixed cutaneous sporotrichosis. The average age of these patients was 40.8 years. The duration of complaints ranged from 1 month to 15 months (average 8.6 months). Two patients were able to recall traumatic injury. Six patients had lesions over lower extremities, two over face and one over upper extremity. Histopathologically, all cases showed granulomatous process with mixed inflammatory infiltrate comprising of lymphocytes, plasma cells, histiocytes and small neutrophil abscesses. Two cases were positive for fungal cells on PAS staining. Fungal culture on skin tissue was positive in all cases. Eight patients were treated with saturated solution of potassium iodide (SSKI) and they responded very well to SSKI in 12-16 weeks. One patient was pregnant and therefore was advised thermotherapy.

Conclusion: Sporotrichosis is also present in north-western region of India as it is reported from north-eastern part. This is the first series of cutaneous sporotrichosis being reported from Uttarakhand, a state situated in the north-western region of India.