Update of the Epidemiology of the Sporotrichosis Epidemic in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Abstract

Background Sporotrichosis is a disease not requiring jurisdictional notification and consequently is underreported in Brazil. Therefore, the epidemiological picture even in hyperendemic states is unknown. Thus, we evaluated the occurrence of sporotrichosis throughout the territory of the southern state of Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul (RS). Methods We update the epidemiological situation of sporotrichosis in the southern region of this state and describe the emergence of this disease in the Metropolitan region. We engaged professionals from RS enrolled in animal health care in answering a questionnaire regarding sporotrichosis. Results The occurrence of local cases of feline sporotrichosis was reported by 83% of the participants from 40 cities, distributed through the seven health districts of RS. Human sporotrichosis cases, transmitted by cats, were also reported by professionals from four regions of the state. The frequency of the disease in both the South and Metropolitan regions showed a marked increase in recent years. Conclusion Feline and cat‐transmitted human sporotrichosis is an underreported mycosis in RS, widely distributed in the territory of this state and increasing. Aggressive public health policies are urgently necessary to control the geographical expansion of this spreading mycosis.

Rising Incidence of Sporothrix brasiliensis Infections, Curitiba, Brazil, 2011–2022

“…Brazil is facing the largest reported current zoonotic outbreak of CTS globally (9,11,13,28). CTS is a public health issue exacerbated by insufficient public health activities, such as case surveillance, animal control, and diagnostic capacity, and by lack of disease awareness among health professionals and the general population (9,13,25,29). Our study adds relevant epidemiologic information to promote better understanding of CTS in the state of Paraná, Brazil.…”

Sporothrix brasiliensis Causing Atypical Sporotrichosis in Brazil: A Systematic Review

“…Besides Rio de Janeiro, atypical zoonotic sporotrichosis cases were also reported in patients from ten additional Brazilian states. Two of these states (Rio Grande do Sul and São Paulo) are nowadays hyperendemic areas for sporotrichosis, starting with outbreak reports since the 2000s [76,[85][86][87], and in eight other states (Paraná, Distrito Federal, Minas Gerais, Pernambuco, Bahia, Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba, and Espírito Santo) outbreaks of S. brasiliensis infection have been reported in the last five/ten years [79,[88][89][90][91][92][93].…”

Amlodipine and lufenuron as repurposing drugs against Sporothrix brasiliensis

“…Our study showed the in vitro activity of two repurposing drugs, either alone or in association with ITZ, against the pathogenic species S. brasiliensis . These isolates were obtained from clinical cases in the two main sporotrichosis hyperendemic regions in Brazil ( Gremião et al, 2020 ; Munhoz et al, 2022 ; Losada et al, 2023 ; Spruijtenburg et al, 2023 ). Sporotrichosis represents a severe public health problem in Brazil and currently it is emerging as a global concern.…”