Neonatal sporotrichosis.

Area of Science:

• Medical Mycology
• Pediatric Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Sporotrichosis is a fungal infection caused by Sporothrix schenckii, typically acquired through skin implantation from contaminated sources like thorns or sphagnum moss.
• Cats are recognized reservoirs, and in children, fixed cutaneous or lymphocutaneous lesions, often on the face, are common presentations.

Observation:

• A neonate presented with a fixed cutaneous facial lesion and lymphadenopathy at three weeks of age.
• This represents the youngest reported case of sporotrichosis in medical literature.
• The infection source remained undetermined as the family reported no trauma or contact with typical sources like plants or cats.

Findings:

• The case highlights a rare presentation of sporotrichosis in a neonate, emphasizing the potential for atypical disease onset and presentation.
• The absence of a clear exposure source in this case underscores the challenges in identifying transmission routes for Sporothrix schenckii, even in pediatric populations.

Implications:

• This case expands the known age range for sporotrichosis and suggests that neonates can be susceptible to this fungal infection.
• It emphasizes the need for considering sporotrichosis in the differential diagnosis of neonatal skin lesions, even without a clear history of exposure.
• Further research may be needed to identify less common or unrecognized transmission pathways for Sporothrix schenckii in infants.