Immunity and Treatment of Sporotrichosis

Abstract

Species of the Sporothrix complex are the etiological agents of sporotrichosis, an important subcutaneous mycosis with several clinical forms and an increasing incidence around the world that affects humans and other mammals. The immunological mechanisms involved in the prevention and control of this mycosis are not entirely understood. Many reports have suggested that cell-mediated immunity has an essential role in the development of the disease, being the primary response controlling it, while only recent data supports that the humoral response is essential for the appropriate control. This mycosis is a challenge for diagnosis since the culture and isolation of the organism are time-consuming and complicated; reasons that have led to the study of fungus antigenic molecules capable of generating a detectable humoral response. The treatment for this disease includes the use of several antifungal drugs like itraconazole, amphotericin B, caspofungin, fluconazole, and the combination between them among others such as the extract of Vismia guianensis.

Th2 Biased Immunity With Altered B Cell Profiles in Circulation of Patients With Sporotrichosis Caused by Sporothrix globosa

“…Previous studies have suggested that T cell-mediated immunity plays an essential role in the immunity against infection with S. schenckii and S. brasiliensis (19). To make clear T cells' profile in S. globosa infection in human, effector CD4 + T (Teff) cells were evaluated in SP (patients with sporotrichosis) and HC ( Figures 1, S1).…”

“…In addition to cellular immunity, humoral response in experimental sporotrichosis in mice has also been evaluated (19). IgG antibodies against Sporothrix antigens could be detected throughout the infection in mice (20).…”

“…Despite the progress in the knowledge of humoral response in mice, little is known about the humoral immunity against clinically relevant Sporothrix species, especially S. globosa in human (1,19). Follicular helper T cells (Tfh), a newly discovered CD4 + T cell subgroup, bridges the cellular and humoral immunity by assisting B cells' differentiation and antibody production (26).…”

Seroepidemiological survey on sporotrichosis-infection in rural areas of the south of Minas Gerais State, Brazil

“…The pulmonary (extracutaneous) form manifests itself through the inhalation of conidia, usually related to immunodeficiency [10]. The severity of the clinical forms of sporotrichosis depends on the site of inoculation, depth of infection, the virulence of the fungal strain, and the patient's immune status [11,12].…”

Special Issue “Sporothrix and Sporotrichosis”

“…The antifungal repertoire to treat sporotrichosis usually depends on the clinical form of the disease, the longevity of the infection, the presence of other chronic illnesses in the patient, and the fungal species. Terbinafine, potassium iodine, and some azoles are among the drugs with good antifungal activity against Sporothrix spp., as discussed here by García-Carnero et al [16]. Due to the limited options currently available to treat sporotrichosis and the constant menace of acquisition of antifungal drug resistance, the generation of passive and active immunological approaches has emerged as a new research area to control fungal infections, including sporotrichosis.…”