Current situation of sporotrichosis in China

Abstract

Sporotrichosis, a mycosis resulting from cutaneous or subcutaneous infection with the dimorphic fungus Sporothrix, has been reported in China, particularly in the northeast region. In this review, we conducted a thorough examination of the recent advancements in sporotrichosis in China, encompassing aspects such as etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment strategies. Within the Chinese context, fixed cutaneous sporotrichosis represents the prevailing clinical manifestation. Fungal culture stands as the gold standard for diagnosing sporotrichosis, while polymerase chain reaction techniques can enhance both the specificity and sensitivity of diagnosis. Besides conventional systemic antifungal agents, alternative modalities such as Chinese herbal medicines, photodynamic therapy and laser therapy show potential efficacy against sporotrichosis.

Keywords: China; Sporothrix globosa; antimicrobial peptide; photodynamic therapy; sporotrichosis; virulence.

Figure 1.

The natural environment in which Sporothrix species exist and the common transmission routes of sporotrichosis in China. Sporothrix usually exists in the natural environment, such as soil, sludge, cornstalks, reeds, rice, rotten wood and dead branches. Traumatic inoculation of plant debris carrying the Sporothrix species is the main transmission route of sporotrichosis in China. Adults can become infected with sporotrichosis through direct contact with the pathogen while tending rice or preparing cornstalks, reeds or branches for use as biomass fuel for heating or cooking. When plant debris contaminated with the pathogen is burned, the Sporothrix conidia are dispersed into the air. Children with skin wounds are then vulnerable to becoming infected. Created with BioRender.com.