Introduction 

Sporotrichosis is a chronic granulomatous fungal infection caused by Sporothrix schenckii

-it is common among gardeners, florists and agriculture workers 

-Infection occurs when the organism is inoculated into the skin during gardening or puncture from a rose thorn 

S. schenckii is a thermally dimorphic fungus which produces branching, septate hyphae and conidia 

Symptoms & Signs 

Sporotrichosis has four clinical presentations: 

Fixed: a painless nodule or plaque that may become pustular or ulcerated or verrucous plaque; most common on dorsum of hand or finger

Lymphocutaneous:  Erythematous nodules in a linear array in lymphatic channels mostly on the dorsum of the hand and forearm

Pulmonary: inhalation of conidiospores producing pulmonary infection 

Disseminated:  From lungs,it disseminates hematogenously to joints, eyes and meninges 

Diagnosis 

Histology: Granulomatous microabscesses 

Culture: Most reliable method of diagnosis 

Treatment 

Itraconazole, fluconazole, terbinafine, Amphotericin B, potassium iodide