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Sporotrichosis in Children: an Update

  • Fungal Infections of Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue (A Bonifaz, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Sporotrichosis, a disease caused by the saprophytic, dimorphic fungus Sporothrix schenckii, is currently diagnosed worldwide, especially in some tropical and subtropical areas. The infection usually occurs after traumatic inoculation of soil, plants, and organic matter containing the fungus. Certain activities, such as floriculture, agriculture, mining, and wood exploitation, and zoonotic transmission are associated with the mycosis. In humans, the disease is limited to skin, subcutaneous tissue, and the proximal lymphatic. It occurs commonly as lymphocutaneous or fixed lesions predominantly affect the upper limbs and face, the latter location is frequent in children. However, sporotrichosis in children is uncommonly seen. Data about the disease on this specific group of patients is scanty. The gold standard for diagnosis is culture. Nevertheless, there are other recently added methods (serological, histopathological, and molecular) useful for an accurate diagnosis. Itraconazole is the first choice of treatment for sporotrichosis; however, potassium iodide is also an effective option, mainly in children.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dermatology Department, Hospital General de México, Dr. Balmis 148, Col. Doctores, Deleg Cuauhtémoc, D.F., C.P. 06726, Mexico

    Andrés Tirado-Sánchez & Alexandro Bonifaz

  2. Dermatology Department, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico, Mexico

    Andrés Tirado-Sánchez

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Correspondence to Andrés Tirado-Sánchez.

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Tirado-Sánchez, A., Bonifaz, A. Sporotrichosis in Children: an Update. Curr Fungal Infect Rep 10, 107–116 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12281-016-0259-0

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