Sporothrix pathogenic clade: Molecular analysis of animal and human clinical isolates

Abstract

Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous mycosis that affects animals and humans. Varying in severity, occurrences range from local lesions to systemic involvement. It is caused by thermodimorphic and saprobic fungi from the Sporothrix pathogenic clade. This study aimed to identify the species and the sexual idiomorph distribution patterns responsible for diagnosed cases of sporotrichosis in São José do Rio Preto, Brazil. We included 188 isolates of Sporothrix sp. from feline lesions and 27 of human origin, which underwent molecular identification and genotyping for mating-type MAT1-1 and MAT1-2. The results showed that Sporothrix brasiliensis is the prevalent species in feline sporotrichosis outbreaks with the overwhelming presence of a single mating-type, MAT1-2 (P < 0.0001), suggesting a prevalently clonal form of spread. Morphological analyses did not discriminate among cryptic species in the genus Sporothrix, and molecular identification was essential for the correct identification of the species responsible for the observed cases of sporotrichosis. Distribution analyses of MAT1-2 isolates support the hypothesis of unidirectional migration from the current epidemics in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro to the municipality of São José do Rio Preto.

High-Throughput Microsatellite Markers Development for Genetic Characterization of Emerging Sporothrix Species

“…The oldest outbreak of feline sporotrichosis began in Rio de Janeiro in the mid-1990s [ 101 , 102 ] and is typified by individuals harboring the MAT1-2 locus [ 74 , 103 ]. Molecular markers can track the dispersion of S. brasiliensis from the parental population in Rio de Janeiro across border states such as São Paulo [ 104 , 105 , 106 ], Minas Gerais [ 7 , 25 ], and Espírito Santo [ 107 , 108 ]. The second relevant genetic group of S. brasiliensis has its epicenter in Rio Grande do Sul and comprises MAT1-1 idiomorphs [ 7 , 74 , 103 , 109 , 110 ].…”

Challenging frontiers: Canine sporotrichosis due to Sporothrix brasiliensis, first case in Chile

“…Although many Sporothrix spp. do not cause human or animal infections, this is not the case of the “pathogenic clade”, capable of infecting mammals and composed by S. brasiliensis , S. schenckii , S. globose and S. luriei [ 2 ]. S. brasiliensis can occur in humans, animals, and the environment, with a change between sapronotic, zoonotic and enzootic transmission.…”