Old and New Insights into Sporothrix schenckii Complex Biology and Identification

Abstract

Sporothrix schenckii is a worldwide-distributed thermally dimorphic fungus, which usually causes a subacute to chronic infection through traumatic implantation or inoculation of its infectious propagules. The fungus encompasses a group of phylogenetically closely related species, thus named the S. schenckii complex, of which S. schenckii sensu stricto and S. brasiliensis are main causative species of sporotrichosis. Owing to a multifaceted molecular dynamic, the S. schenckii complex can switch between the mycelium and the yeast form. This characteristic along with a varying cell wall composition account for significant species-specific differences in the host range, virulence, and susceptibility to antifungal drugs. While culture remains the gold standard to diagnose sporotrichosis, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry-based methods have become an essential for accurate species identification in many clinical laboratories. If directly applied on tissue samples, molecular methods are helpful to improve both sensitivity of and time to the etiological diagnosis of sporotrichosis. This mini-review aims to put together the old and new knowledge on the S. schenckii complex biology and identification, with particular emphasis on the laboratory diagnosis-related aspects of disease.

Of Mycelium and Men: Inherent Human Susceptibility to Fungal Diseases

“…Unlike other TDEF, sporotrichosis more commonly occurs following the soft tissue traumatic implantation of infectious propagules from an environmental source; inhalation is a less frequent route of acquisition. Caused by members of the S. schenckii complex, sporotrichosis patients can present skin disease (cutaneous-lymphatic or nodular lymphangitis), disseminated disease (with visceral involvement), or extracutaneous presentations (e.g., CNS, musculoskeletal, or pulmonary) [ 138 ].…”

Emerging Animal-Associated Fungal Diseases

“…mexicana and S . luriei , also occur in humans but are commonly acquired through the inhalation of conidia rather than animal transmission [ 62 , 64 , 65 ].…”

Important Mycosis of Wildlife: Emphasis on Etiology, Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Pathology—A Review: PART 2

“…S . schenckii causes benign chronic subcutaneous mycosis; Sporothrix brasiliensis is highly virulent, whereas Sporothrix globosa more often causes fixed cutaneous lesions [ 80 ].…”