Esporotricose felina: Sinais clínicos e prevenção em animais e humanos

Abstract

Sporotrichosis is a mycosis caused by the fungus Sporothrix sp, which is found in plants, trees, and soil, associated with decomposing plant remains. The disease can affect various species, especially felines which, in turn, are the main transmitters of sporotrichosis to humans. Infection by Sporothrix sp. occurs through contact between injured skin and surfaces contaminated with the fungus, or scratching or biting by diseased animals. In addition to the skin manifestation, sporotrichosis can also occur in extracutaneous form, affecting multiple organs such as the lungs, lymph nodes, liver, spleen and kidneys. There is no preventive vaccine for the disease and it is treated with synthetic fungistatic agents with a broad spectrum of antifungal activity. Sporotrichosis is considered one of the most relevant mycoses in veterinary medicine and an underdiagnosed zoonosis, mainly due to the lack of control and prevention initiatives, which consequently leads to a lack of public awareness. In the states of Pernambuco, Rio de Janeiro and in some cities in states of São Paulo, Minas Gerais Bahia, Rio Grande do Norte and Paraíba have compulsory notification of cases. Since December 1, 2020, the notification of sporotrichosis in dogs and cats has become mandatory in the city of São Paulo. The purpose of this review is to emphasize that sporotrichosis is an emerging zoonosis that is underdiagnosed in Brazil. Information and publicity campaigns are needed to reinforce the importance of treatment and the potential for a cure, as well as effective educational measures related to public health programs for the control of human and animal sporotrichosis. Responsible pet ownership campaigns, which emphasize the importance of neutering and restricting street access, are of paramount importance for the epidemiological control of the disease. Veterinarians have a fundamental role to play in guiding the guardian, emphasizing that the lack of treatment, in addition to causing great suffering to the affected animal, can contribute to the spread of the disease, including to humans.