Resumo

Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous mycosis caused by the dimorphic fungus previously described as the single species Sporothrix schenckii, with a worldwide distribution and high endemicity in Latin America. Several changes on S. schenckii taxonomy and clinical aspects of sporotrichosis have been reported. Based on phenotypic and genotypic analyses four new species in the Sporothrix complex: S. globosa, S. brasiliensis, S. mexicana, and S. luriei have been suggested. Classical infection is associated with traumatic subcutaneous inoculation of soil, plants, or organic matter contaminated with fungus, with rare cases of zoonotic transmission. However in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, sporotrichosis is largely occurring via transmission from infected cats to humans. Recently, our group performed a georeferencing survey of sporotrichosis cases that revealed a transmission belt along the border between Rio de Janeiro city and adjacent counties in the Greater Metropolitan Area. Genotypic analyses show that isolates from the Rio de Janeiro epidemic have a high genetic similarity, which is suggestive of a common niche. Although several studies have described this epidemic, taxonomic analyses have not been correlated with clinical presentations. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate a possible association between manifestations of sporotrichosis and the different genomic species of S. schenckii sensu lato. To verify whether the species of S. schenckii complex are associated with clinical manifestations of sporotrichosis, 50 patients with different symptoms were analyzed and their Sporothrix isolates were studied by phenotypic and genotypic methods. Data revealed a distinct clinical picture and therapeutic response in infections caused by S. brasiliensis (n=45) or S. schenckii sensu strictu (n=5). S. brasiliensis was associated with disseminated infection without underlying disease, hypersensitivity reactions, and mucosal infection, whereas S. schenckii cases were related to a milder clinical presentation, similar to the majority of previously described sporotrichosis cases. In contrast, S. brasiliensis seemed to respond better to antimycotic treatment with itraconazole. These findings suggest that Sporothrix species and isolates can be linked to different clinical manifestations of sporotrichosis.