A One Health Approach to Combatting Sporothrix brasiliensis: Narrative Review of an Emerging Zoonotic Fungal Pathogen in South America

Abstract

Cat-transmitted sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis has become a major public health concern and presents a distinct divergence from the traditional epidemiology of sporotrichosis. This emerging fungal pathogen spreads readily among cat populations, and human infections occur exclusively via zoonotic transmission. While sporotrichosis is an implantation mycosis that typically manifests as cutaneous lesions in humans and cats, severe extracutaneous manifestations are more common with S. brasiliensis than other Sporothrix species infections. Rapid diagnosis and appropriate treatment regimens are critical for successful clinical resolution of sporotrichosis in both cats and humans. Species-level identification of Sporothrix is possible with molecular diagnostics and necessary for tracking the geographic expansion of S. brasiliensis and better understanding its epidemiology. Combatting cat-transmitted sporotrichosis requires a One Health approach to successfully implement public health control measures.

Endemic and Other Dimorphic Mycoses in The Americas

“…S. brasiliensis differs from other species within the S. schenkii species complex in that it is not acquired from the environment but rather almost exclusively through interactions with infected cats. S. brasiliensis is currently endemic primarily in Brazil, but there are some data indicating that S. brasiliensis cases are emerging in surrounding countries [ 113 ]. In humans, the disease is similar to that caused by S. schenkii sensu stricto, but is more likely to present with a papule or ulcer at the site of infection.…”

“…Symptoms are similar in cats with ulcerated lesions, enlarged lymph nodes, and sometimes respiratory symptoms. The first outbreak of cat-transmitted S. brasiliensis disease was detected in 1998 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil [ 113 ]. By 2020, cases of cat-transmitted sporotrichosis caused by S. brasiliensis have been reported in most coastal Brazilian states [ 113 ].…”

“…The first outbreak of cat-transmitted S. brasiliensis disease was detected in 1998 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil [ 113 ]. By 2020, cases of cat-transmitted sporotrichosis caused by S. brasiliensis have been reported in most coastal Brazilian states [ 113 ]. In Brazil, 4188 human cases were reported from 1997 to 2011, and 4703 cat cases were diagnosed through 2015, with a few additional cases in dogs [ 114 , 115 , 116 ].…”

Tenebrio molitor as an Alternative Model to Analyze the Sporothrix Species Virulence

“… 1–3 This infection is traditionally considered as a sapronosis, where decaying vegetal tissues are the natural niche for fungal growth; 1 however, due to the recent increment in animal sporotrichosis cases, particularly in domestic species, this disease is also now considered as a zoonosis. 4–6 Most of the cases positively respond to the conventional antifungal therapies or are fixed lesions that are controlled by the host immunity, but there is the risk to develop a life-threatening systemic infection, which in recent years is increasing in frequency, in particular in immunosuppressed patients. 7 …”

“…[1][2][3] This infection is traditionally considered as a sapronosis, where decaying vegetal tissues are the natural niche for fungal growth; 1 however, due to the recent increment in animal sporotrichosis cases, particularly in domestic species, this disease is also now considered as a zoonosis. [4][5][6] Most of the cases positively respond to the conventional antifungal therapies or are fixed lesions that are controlled by the host immunity, but there is the risk to develop a life-threatening systemic infection, which in recent years is increasing in frequency, in particular in immunosuppressed patients. 7 Sporothrix schenckii, Sporothrix brasiliensis, and Sporothrix globosa are the three out of the 51 species classified within the Sporothrix genus that are the etiological agents of most of the animal and human sporotrichosis cases and are grouped within the pathogenic clade of this genus.…”