Extracutaneous sporotrichosis.

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Infectious Diseases
• Dermatology

Background:

• Sporotrichosis is a subacute-to-chronic fungal infection endemic to tropical and subtropical regions.
• It typically affects subcutaneous tissues but can lead to extracutaneous infections, particularly in hyperendemic areas.
• Extracutaneous forms are categorized by lesion location and infection route (primary or multifocal).

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the various clinical presentations of sporotrichosis, including extracutaneous forms.
• To discuss diagnostic methods and treatment strategies for different forms of sporotrichosis.
• To highlight challenges in treating specific manifestations, such as central nervous system involvement.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical classifications of sporotrichosis based on lesion location and infection spread.
• Summary of diagnostic confirmation through mycological examination of clinical samples.
• Overview of current therapeutic approaches, including antifungal agents and surgical interventions.

Main Results:

• Sporotrichosis presents in various forms: pulmonary, osteoarticular, ocular, central nervous system, and mucosal.
• Multifocal presentations are more common in immunocompromised individuals.
• Itraconazole and amphotericin B are primary treatments for most forms, with surgery an option for pulmonary and osteoarticular cases.

Conclusions:

• Sporotrichosis requires laboratory confirmation for diagnosis.
• Effective treatments exist for most forms, but central nervous system sporotrichosis remains difficult to manage with a high mortality rate.
• Further research is needed to improve outcomes for neurological sporotrichosis.