Infection caused by Sporothrix schenckii: an autochthonous case in Bari, Southern Italy

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2020 Dec;39(12):2457-2460. doi: 10.1007/s10096-020-03939-z. Epub 2020 Jun 20.

Abstract

An autochthonous case of lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix schenckii is reported. The patient developed skin lesions localized along the lymphatics that appeared after he suffered an injury while collecting wicker canes in marshy water. The fungus was identified as Sporothrix schenckii by MALDI-TOF and sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis was also performed. Low MIC values were detected for all tested echinocandins and azoles except for fluconazole. The patient was treated with itraconazole without significant improvement. A regression of lesions was observed after 3 months of therapy with voriconazole. Few cases of sporotrichosis have been reported in Europe. However, several cases of sporotrichosis have been described in Italy. The incidence of sporotrichosis in Italy may be underestimated and microbiologists, and clinicians must be aware of this fungal infection.

Keywords: Lymphocutaneous lesions; Sporotrichosis; Voriconazole.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Dermatomycoses / drug therapy
  • Dermatomycoses / microbiology*
  • Dermatomycoses / pathology
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Itraconazole / therapeutic use
  • Lymphadenitis / drug therapy
  • Lymphadenitis / microbiology*
  • Lymphadenitis / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sporothrix / isolation & purification*
  • Sporotrichosis / diagnosis*
  • Sporotrichosis / drug therapy
  • Sporotrichosis / microbiology*
  • Sporotrichosis / pathology

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Itraconazole

Supplementary concepts

  • Sporothrix schenckii