[Study of 50 patients with sporotrichosis. Clinical and laboratory assessment]

Because sporotrichosis is the most frequent subcutaneous mycosis in Mexico and the clinical aspect is not always characteristic, the aim of this study was to evaluate laboratory diagnosis techniques. Fifty patients with clinical diagnosis of subcutaneous sporotrichosis were studied including clinical and epidemiologic data. Metabolic antigen was used to elicit delayed hypersensitivity skin reaction in all patients. Exudate was plated on Sabouraud agar and biopsy material was submitted to indirect immunofluorescence and histopathology. Results showed that sporotrichosis frequency was higher in women (62%), in children and adolescents under 20 years of age (34%) and adults older than 50 years of age (28%). Disease was predominant in farmers (44%) followed by housewives (30%). Lymphangitic form accounted for 82% of cases and these were localized in upper limbs (54%). In 66% of cases, histopathology showed S. schenckii yeasts; hypersensitivity skin reaction was positive in 76% and culture in 94%. By indirect immunofluorescence, parasitic elements were demonstrated in all patients corresponding to both sensitivity and specificity 100%. In this work, indirect immunofluorescence was the most efficient sporotrichosis diagnostic method followed by culture, hypersensitivity skin reaction, and histopathologic study.