Report of co-occurrence of sporotrichosis in two DSH cats and their owners

Background and Aim : Sporotrichosis is considered a chronic fungal zoonotic disease caused by the Sporothrix schenckii. Cats inoculated with S. schenckii in the footpads had lymphocutaneous spread similar to localized sporotrichosis in humans. The purpose of this research is to assess sporothrochosis occurrence in ۲ cats and their owner simultaneously and investigate the causes and effects of this zoonotic disease.Methods : In September ۲۰۲۰, a referred case to one of the pet hospitals located in Karaj included two male DSH cats in the age of around eight months, developed a draining subcutaneous abscess at the right commissure of the lip (in the first case), and several minor draining puncture wounds over the posterior surface of the left tarsal region (in the second case). After sampling the skin and hair, the samples were sent to the laboratory. Organisms were so numerous that they were easily detected on hematoxylin-and-eosin-stained sections. They were stained with periodic acid-Schiff, Gomori's methenamine silver, and Gram's stains.Results : In both cats there was a pyogranulomatous inflammatory reaction involving the dermis, the panniculus, and the subjacent skeletal muscles. Furthermore, the ۵۶-year-old female owner with a moderate immunodeficiency disease background developed a calf region of her left leg alongside a tender, erythematous pustule over the papular eruption and a localized lymphocutaneous form sporotrichosis on the middle of her right forearm. This lesion was noticed several days after she had cleaned the cat’s lesions.Conclusion : It seems that any contact with the draining lesions of affected cats offers the potential for human infection. In addition, an immunodeficiency background may enhance the risk of sporothrochosis.

Keywords:

sporothrochosis , cat , immunodeficiency , zoonosis