Search

Sporothrix brasiliensis is an emerging fungal pathogen causing cat-transmitted sporotrichosis, an epi-zoonosis affecting humans, cats and dogs in Brazil and now spreading to neighboring South American countries. Here, we report the first two autochthonous cases of cat-transmitted sporotrichosis in Paraguay. The first case was a four-year-old male cat showing several ulcerative lesions, nasal deformity and respiratory symptoms. The second case was a one-year-old male cat showing a single ulcerated lesion, respiratory symptoms and nasal deformity. Both cases were admitted to a veterinary clinic in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay. Isolates were recovered from swabs of the two cases. Using molecular methods, the isolates were identified as S. brasiliensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sporotrichosis is a neglected tropical disease caused by fungi of the genus Sporothrix. Transmission can occur through sapronotic, enzootic, and zoonotic pathways. Since the 1990s, Sporothrix brasiliensis has become the most important etiologic agent in cattransmitted sporotrichosis in Brazil. Our objective is to alert about the emergence of feline sporotrichosis on the Brazilian side of the Southern Triple Border (Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina). From July/2021 to September/2022, biological samples and clinicalepidemiological data were collected from 147 domestic cats with typical sporotrichosis lesions and residents of Foz do Iguaçu (Foz). The cats were selected through notification of the citizens themselves, health agents of Zoonosis Control Center (CCZ) of Foz, veterinarians from private veterinary clinics and hospitals, and the receipt of suspected animals by CCZ – Foz. From the samples, direct mycological examinations and fungal culture were performed and a set of 10 fungal isolates from the microbiological tests were selected for molecular analysis based on calmodulin (CAL) gene sequences. From each collection point, the geographic coordinate was taken using the Google Earth® software and the Quantun Gis software (QGIS) was used to assemble the maps. Of the 147 samples collected, 95 were considered positive in the microbiological tests, and the first 10 isolates were identified as S. brasiliensis. Based on clinical-epidemiological and geographic data, the following problems associated with feline sporotrichosis in this region were identified: the presence of sporotrichosis-positive cats in high-density regions of Foz; the epidemic profile of the disease with cases rapidly spreading through neighborhoods in the East region of the city to other regions; the easy access to the street and other homes of infected cats, which facilitates the zoonotic and enzootic transmission cycle of this disease; the free movement of positive animals for backyards and vacant lots where they can defecate and even come to death, wthat feeds the sapronotic cycle; and the profile most associated with the positive animal being of an uncastrated male, not vaccinated for any disease and with little or no access to veterinary services. With the situational diagnosis provided for this study, it is possible to understand the factors that influence the emergence of the disease in Foz, contributing to the development of programs and specific strategies; focusing on raising the population's awareness of safekeeping practices for your animals; providing free diagnosis for animals suspected of sporotrichosis, and treatment with a free supply of medication for animals with a confirmed diagnosis of sporotrichosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]