Sporothrix spp. Biofilms Impact in the Zoonotic Transmission Route: Feline Claws Associated Biofilms, Itraconazole Tolerance, and Potential Repurposing for Miltefosine

Sporotrichosis is the most prevalent subcutaneous mycosis globally, and it is typically caused by direct inoculation of the soil saprophytic fungus spp. into the patients' skin. However, sporotrichosis has an important zoonotic transmission route between cats and humans in hot-spot endemic area...

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Published in:Pathogens (Basel) 2022-02, Vol.11 (2), p.206
Main Authors: Dos Santos, Giulia Maria Pires, Borba-Santos, Luana Pereira, Vila, Taissa, Ferreira Gremião, Isabella Dib, Pereira, Sandro Antonio, De Souza, Wanderley, Rozental, Sonia
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biofilms
cat claws
Contamination
Disease hot spots
Fungi
Fungicides
Infections
Inoculation
Itraconazole
Mammals
Metabolism
Microorganisms
Microscopy
Miltefosine
Morphology
Mycosis
Scanning electron microscopy
Soil contamination
Soil microorganisms
Sporothrix
Sporothrix brasiliensis
Sporothrix schenckii
Sporotrichosis
Yeast
Yeasts
Zoonoses
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Summary:Sporotrichosis is the most prevalent subcutaneous mycosis globally, and it is typically caused by direct inoculation of the soil saprophytic fungus spp. into the patients' skin. However, sporotrichosis has an important zoonotic transmission route between cats and humans in hot-spot endemic areas such as Brazil. Antifungal itraconazole is the first-line treatment; however, it is frequently associated with recurrence after withdrawal, mainly on cats. Biofilms are important resistance structures related to the environmental persistence of most microorganisms. In the present work, we evaluated yeasts' ability to form biofilms in an ex vivo model of infected claws of cats. Using scanning electron microscopy, we demonstrated the presence of fungal biofilms in the claws of cats diagnosed with sporotrichosis confirmed by isolation of spp. in culture. We present here evidence of antibiofilm activity of miltefosine and suggest its use off-label as an antifungal as a putative alternative to itraconazole against biofilms. Claw contamination could sustain infections through a continuous inoculation cycle between open lesions and cat claws. Our results further support the off-label use of miltefosine as a promising alternative, especially for mycosis refractory to conventional treatment.
ISSN:2076-0817
2076-0817
DOI:10.3390/pathogens11020206