Temporal and spatial distribution of sporotrichosis in the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Area, Brazil: a comparison...

Cat-transmitted sporotrichosis is currently hyperendemic in the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Area, Brazil. Despite the zoonotic context, surveillance is fragmented, with human and animal contagion being assessed separately. This study aimed to describe and compare spatial and temporal patterns of sporotrichosis cases in humans and animals (cats and dogs) reported to the Brazilian Information System for Notificable Diseases in the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area, from 2013 to 2020. We conducted an ecological study based on the spatial and temporal evolution of sporotrichosis in the area. We compared the time series of human and animal cases per month. We also compared the cumulative human incidences and the ratio of animal cases per inhabitant by neighborhood or subdistrict and explored spatial correlation with global and local Moran's I. During the period, 9,552 human and 12,532 animal sporotrichosis suspected cases were reported. Via spatial and temporal exploratory analyses, we verified actions that favored notification during this period, such as establishing mandatory notification and campaigns related to public veterinary care. We also verified the existence of clusters in the west zone of the capital and border cities, and the expansion of sporotrichosis to other disadvantaged areas in the capital and the outskirts of the metropolitan area. Moreover, we observed divergent patterns between human and animal sporotrichosis distribution in time and space. Our findings show a spatial expansion of sporotrichosis in humans and animals; however, they also highlight the limitations of ongoing surveillance, indicating we probably are underestimating magnitude of the problem.