Cutaneous sporotrichosis

Gardeners, florists, lawn laborers and agricultural workers are routinely exposed to Sporothrix schenckii, as are those working in building supplies and nurseries. The primary lesion is an ulcer or a chancre, which is followed by the development of a lymphangitic cord with nodules along its course. Biopsy is not necessary and can worsen the infection. The culture technique is simple and provides definitive diagnosis. Systemic potassium iodide therapy rarely fails. Disseminated disease is rare except in immunosuppressed patients.