Sporotrichosis: what is the fungal disease that can be transmitted from cats to humans

Present in decaying vegetation such as pieces of wood, branches, and dry leaves, the disease causes severe skin sores that can affect animals and humans. (Reproduction/Pixabay)

Eliziane Paiva – Cenarium Magazine

MANAUS – Sporotrichosis is a disease that can be transmitted from cats to humans when there is direct contact with injured skin. The transmission is done through contact with areas contaminated by the fungus, which is found in decomposing vegetation such as damp wood planks, for example. Skin lesions with the appearance of a small reddish lump may appear on the arms, legs, or face. Often these lumps are left over in the affected areas and can break off to form a hard-to-heal wound.

The fungus that causes sporotrichosis, with the scientific name Sporothrix schenckii, is also spread through scratches or bites from dogs, rats, and other small animals, such as cats, felines being the main animals affected, besides transmitting the disease to humans.

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The animal cause activist and councilman Kennedy Marques (PMN) reported in plenary session, last Monday, 21, that he was diagnosed with sporotrichosis and is under treatment. “A short time ago I was sick. I spent 30 days in the hospital, I have access here in my neck, paying a high price for it, and last Friday, after the culture that was done, it was found that I have sporotrichosis”, he vented.

In an interview to CENARIUM, the councilman reported that he is “under treatment with satisfactory results. “Today, there is already a sector in the Tropical Hospital specifically for this, very important and necessary.”

Cat guardians report that Manaus is experiencing an outbreak of sporotrichosis, since the manifestations of the disease can vary between light or deep wounds, in general, with the presence of secretions that do not heal and usually evolve quickly.

Deficient care

The caregiver and animal protector Vinícius Leal contests the attendance of the Zoonosis Control Center (CCZ). “Manaus is still experiencing a very dangerous outbreak of sporotrichosis and the government does nothing. The CCZ service is deficient and they ignore the complaints that come to them, they do nothing”, he complained.

As of the publication of this report, CENARIUM has not heard back from CCZ about the cases of the disease in the city.

Recommendations to avoid proliferation

The veterinarian Adriana Oliveira (CRMV 0665) said that the recommendation for those who have animals with lesions is to be extra careful when handling the cat to avoid scratches or bites. It is also important to avoid skin lesions without the hand being protected with gloves. If a person is scratched, it is important to wash the area with soap and seek medical assistance.

“Sporotrichosis has treatment, cure, and the diagnosis of animals, so the guardian should be alert when suspecting sporotrichosis. One should not abandon, mistreat or sacrifice. If you suspect that your pet has sporotrichosis, seek advice from a veterinarian on how to care for it without risking contamination. With proper treatment and correct information about the necessary care, it is possible to promote the animal’s cure.”

The veterinarian also recommends isolating the animal with the disease from other animals to a proper environment. It is also recommended that, in case of death of the animal with sporotrichosis, the body be cremated, and not buried, because the mycosis can proliferate through the soil, spreading the disease to other animals.

Treatment and control of the disease

It is important to emphasize that the disease is treatable, and keeping the animals isolated is one way to control the spread of the disease to other animals. Researchers from Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), through Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas (INI), the unit responsible for researching sporotrichosis, clarify that, depending on the case, the treatment in animals can last for months or more than a year.

Since sporotrichosis is included in the group of subcutaneous mycoses and can be confused with other skin diseases, the ideal is to look for a dermatologist to get a proper diagnosis.

The sporotrichosis care in Manaus is being done by the Zoonosis Control Center (CCZ), at the headquarters located at Avenida Brasil, s/nº, Compensa, from Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm, and at the Coroado Olympic Minibar, from Monday to Friday from 8am to 12pm. The exclusive contact number for sporotrichosis care is (92) 98842-8484 or just look for the locations and Basic Care Services of the Family Health Program.

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