Introduction

Sporotrichosis assumed epidemic proportions in Brazil in the last years and is currently considered a serious public health problem. This subcutaneous mycosis, more often founded in urban areas, is characterized by the presence of nodular papulopustular lesions or gummy ulcer. In the domestic cat, the clinical signs are quite diverse and, if occurring the systemic involvement, sporotrichosis could evolve causing the death of cat.

Objectives

Identify the occurrence of sporotrichosis in cats with suggestive lesions. Identify if healthy cats - living with sick cats - are asymptomatic carriers of the fungus. Relate the mycological and histopathological identification of Sporothrix schenckii complex. Determine the species of Sporothrix using PCR.

Methods

Mycological culture, histopathological, PCR.

Results

A total of 49 cats were analyzed in this study. Among them, 84% (41 cats) had clinical lesions and 16% (8 cats) were asymptomatic. Of all 41 injured cats, 39% (16 cats) had positive mycological culture and three positive samples were confirmed by PCR as Sporothrix braziliensis. These animals also presented pyogranulomatous dermatitis, multifocal to coalescing, severe with numerous intrahistiocytic 2 to 6 µm diameter, elongated or dot-like, cigar-shaped to oval yeasts. All samples (oral mucosa) of asymptomatic contactants were negative in mycological culture.

Conclusions

There is an outbreak of sporotrichosis occurring in Guarulhos city - SP, Brazil, with high number of cases in cats and humans. Therefore, the importance of this study is to confirm that animals with suggestive lesions are truly infected with the fungus and healthy animals, despite living together with infected cats, did not carry the agent.