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Review
. 2023 Sep 13;9(9):921.
doi: 10.3390/jof9090921.

Sporothrix brasiliensis: Epidemiology, Therapy, and Recent Developments

Melissa Orzechowski Xavier  1   2 , Vanice Rodrigues Poester  1   2 , Mariana Rodrigues Trápaga  1   2 , David A Stevens  3   4
Affiliations
Review

Sporothrix brasiliensis: Epidemiology, Therapy, and Recent Developments

Melissa Orzechowski Xavier et al. J Fungi (Basel). .

Abstract

Sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis is an emergent mycosis that is now a worldwide concern. One important step to sporotrichosis control is its correct treatment. However, limitations abound; thus, new antifungals, mainly focused on S. brasiliensis, are urgently needed. We performed a systematic review (following the PRISMA guideline) focused on (1) the global distribution of human and animal sporotrichosis by S. brasiliensis, especially outside of Brazil; (2) appraising therapies tested against this pathogen. We identified sporotrichosis caused by S. brasiliensis reported in five countries (Paraguay, Chile, Argentina, the United Kingdom, and the United States) in addition to Brazil, occurring on three continents, highlighting the epidemiological scenario in Argentina with an important increase in reported cases in recent years. Regarding the antifungal activity of drugs, 25 articles described the in vitro action of 20 unique chemicals and eight repurposed drugs against S. brasiliensis. Only five studies reported in vivo activity against S. brasiliensis (five drugs) using invertebrate and vertebrate models. Sporotrichosis caused by S. brasiliensis has a global impact and it is no longer specifically a Brazilian problem. We review the need for understanding the disease epidemiology, education of clinicians and of the populace, organization of health care delivery to respond to a spreading epidemic, and research on therapy for sporotrichosis.

Keywords: antifungal; cats; drugs; sporotrichosis; subcutaneous mycosis; zoonosis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart describing the total of scientific articles obtained by the search, and those included with regard to the two objectives of our study: (1) evaluate the global distribution of sporotrichosis by Sporothrix brasiliensis; (2) evaluate potential new chemical therapies studied in vitro and in vivo against this pathogen. CLSI: Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute; EUCAST: European Committee on antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
Figure 2
Figure 2
A world map showing sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis. Each human icon represents human cases, and cat icon, feline sporotrichosis cases. n: number.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Combination of drugs against Sporothrix brasiliensis described in the scientific literature. N: number of isolates. AgNPs: silver nanoparticles; AgNPs@Chi: silver nanoparticles with chitosan. Reference: Borba-Santos et al., 2015 [62]; Borba-Santos et al., 2016 [66]; Borba-Santos et al., 2017 [51]; Poester et al., 2018 [48]; Brilhante et al., 2018 [58]; Garcia Ferreira et al., 2019 [69]; Borba-Santos et al., 2020 [49]; Poester et al., 2020 [53]; Artunduaga Bonilla et al., 2021 [71]; Artunduaga Bonilla et al., 2022 [70]; Borba-Santos et al., 2022 [63]; Seibert et al., 2022 [75].
Figure 4
Figure 4
In vivo studies regarding anti-Sporothrix brasiliensis activity described in the scientific literature. AgNPs: silver nanoparticles; Chi: chitosan. Reference: Borba-Santos et al., 2021 [61]; Artunduaga Bonilla et al., 2021 [71]; Artunduaga Bonilla et al., 2022 [70]; Munhoz et al., 2023 [50]; Poester et al., 2023 [79].
Figure 5
Figure 5
Problems generated by hyperendemicity of sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis in Brazil and proposed actions to face this reality throughout three decades of this epidemiological situation, problematic based on the description by Barros et al., 2010 [97].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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