Multifocal Sporotrichosis Associated with Armadillo Hunting in Midwest Brazil: An In-Depth Case Study and Comprehensive Literature Analysis

• Published in: Mycopathologia (1975) 2024-08, Vol.189 (4), p.53, Article 53
• Main Authors: Rodrigues, Anderson Messias, de Carvalho, Jamile Ambrósio, Nery, Andreia Ferreira, Hueb, Marcia, Garcia, Ivana, Guevara, Armando, de Camargo, Zoilo Pires, Hahn, Rosane Christine
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amplified fragment length polymorphism; Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis; Animals; Antifungal Agents - therapeutic use; Armadillos - microbiology; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Brazil; Case Report; Epidemiology; Eukaryotic Microbiology; Gene polymorphism; Genotype; Humans; Itraconazole; Itraconazole - therapeutic use; Life Sciences; Male; Medical Microbiology; Microbial Ecology; Microbiology; Middle Aged; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction; Mycosis; Plant Sciences; Sporothrix - classification; Sporothrix - genetics; Sporothrix - isolation & purification; Sporotrichosis; Sporotrichosis - diagnosis; Sporotrichosis - drug therapy; Sporotrichosis - microbiology; Sporotrichosis - transmission; Treatment Outcome; Vigilance
• ISSN: 0301-486X; 1573-0832; 1573-0832
• DOI: 10.1007/s11046-024-00854-1

Sporotrichosis is a globally distributed subcutaneous mycosis caused by dimorphic Sporothrix species commonly found in soil, mosses, and decaying plant matter. The lymphocutaneous manifestation, historically associated with occupational activities and sapronotic transmission, has recently been observed to also occur through animal contact, particularly notable in Brazil. We describe a rare case of lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis with simultaneous pulmonary complications resulting from the scratching of a southern three-banded armadillo, Tolypeutes matacus , primarily inhabiting the arid forests of South America's central region. Speciation using multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) established the etiological agent as S. schenckii s. str. , while amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis unveiled a novel genotype circulating in the Midwest of Brazil. The patient received treatment with itraconazole (200 mg/day) for two months, leading to substantial clinical improvement of cutaneous and pulmonary symptoms. This case highlights the critical role of animal-mediated transmission in sporotrichosis epidemiology, particularly within regions with diverse armadillo species. The unusual epidemiology and genetic characteristics of this case emphasize the need for enhanced awareness and diagnostic vigilance in atypical sporotrichosis presentations.