Epidemiological features and geographical expansion of sporotrichosis in the state of Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil

Abstract

Aim: Cases of sporotrichosis are emerging in several states of Brazil, especially in the southeast. Recently, sporotrichosis has been reported in the state of Pernambuco in the northeastern region. The goal of this study was to shed new light on sporotrichosis in terms of the geographic distribution of human cases and provide an overview of sporotrichosis associated with zoonotic transmission. Patients & methods: From March 2017 to November 2019, 179 patients were diagnosed with sporotrichosis. Georeferencing analysis, spatial distribution and epidemiological features of all cases are described. Results: The data show the dynamics of accelerated transmission of sporotrichosis across urban and coastal areas of the state of Pernambuco. Conclusion: There is a need to decentralize health services and implement a One Health approach to this emerging disease.

Keywords: Sporothrix; epidemiology; georeferencing; socioeconomic conditions.