Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous mycosis subacute or chronic evolution, caused by the dimorphic Sporothrix complex, which includes five species: Sporothrix albicans, Sporothrix brasiliensis, Sporothrix globosa, Sporothrix Mexicana and Sporothrix schenckii (sensu stricto). The infection occurs after trauma with contaminated material, which inoculated the fungus on the skin. The clinical types of sporotrichosis are lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis, fixed cutaneous (nodulopapular, ulcerative, verrucouse and furunculoide) and extracutaneous [1,2].

An otherwise healthy 40 years old man resident in the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre, southern Brazil, came to the office with a history of a 3 weeks ulcerated lesion in the index finger of the right hand and a wrist nodosity. The patient had been hurt in the finger by a thorn of Bouganvillea tree (Fig. 1) and a primary ulcer started (Fig. 2). The primary lesion developed at the index finger, that was the site of inoculation, and it was followed some days later by subcutaneous nodules on the wrist that progressed along lymphatic channels. His profession was a condominium caretaker and he was in charge of gardening services. The mycological culture showed leathery wrinkled colonies progressively darker typical of Sporothrix schenckii. All lesions resolved after treatment with oral itraconazole 200 mg/d. The treatment usually lasts for 3-6 months (Fig. 3).

The lymphocutaneous form is the classical presentation of sporotrichosis. The primary lesion develops at the site of skin inoculation, commonly hands and arms. After some days to weeks it progresses to nodules along the lymphatic tract [2]. Patients are otherwise healthy, afebrile and well. Self-healing cases sometimes happen. Antibiotics are commonly prescribed in this phase as it mimics staphylococcal infections. When left untreated it follows a chronic course although the ulcerated inoculative lesion may heal spontaneously.

Fixed and disseminated forms are other rarer cutaneous variants.

Systemic sporotrichosis is the result of conidia inhalation or hematogenous dissemination from primary sites but is also rare. In a large outbreak that occurred in gold mines of South Africa in more than 3000 miners, none of them had disseminated disease. Pulmonary sporotrichosis via inhalation of Sporotrichum displays a form radiographically indistinguishable from tuberculosis and histoplasmosis in patients with severe underlying chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and alcoholism [2,3]. Granulomatous tenosynovitis and carpal tunnel syndrome have also been described [4]. Osteoarticular sporotrichosis may result from direct inoculation or hematogenous disseminated S. schenckii, with an involvement of multiple visceral organs; this occurs almost exclusively in persons with AIDS.

The hyperendemicity areas of certain countries and high numbers in certain populations are still unexplained. Before the Great War, many cases of the disease occurred in France but after a while, the incidence declined abruptly.

Peruvian Andes villages show the incidence of sporotrichosis as approximately 1 case per 1000 people. Epidemics have been described in western Australia, China and the large outbreak occurred in gold mines of South Africa in more than 3000 miners who had frequent physical contact with wood timber supports. In Uruguay, armadillo hunting is a high-risk activity [5].

The fungus S. schenckii grows abundantly on dead wood but it has never been observed as plant pathogens, probably due to the antifungal activity of plants. The fungus grew best on Acacia melanoxylon, Cinnamomum camphora, Eucalyptus grandis, E. sideroxylon, and Ginkgo biloba [6,7]. This patient had been hurt while trimming Bougainvillea spp. It is a tree native to Brazil and is a fast-growing plant that creates a colorful barrier - are perennials with profuse and blooms and rapid growth and prized for security features because of sharp thorns that can easily pierce through the fabric and into bare skin. Must be regularly trimmed to prevent it from growing out of control.

In Brazil in the 50`s, 93% of sporotrichosis patients were from rural areas [8], but lately the disease changed its profile and is becoming more frequent among urban adults and as an occupational disease. Decaying vegetable matter of high humidity areas with temperatures between 16 and 20oC seem to be the ideal conditions for the fungus proliferation. Splinter and thorns are favorite habitats and favor the growth of fungus. Florists, gardeners, forestry workers, miners and people who deal with soil are workers at greatest risk.

Domestic cats are frequent transmitters, by scratch. Also but rarely, cattle, dogs, horse, camel, swine, rat, mouse, lizard, chimpanzee and dolphin have been described.

Antifungal therapy is the mainstay of treatment for all forms of sporotrichosis. Itraconazole is the best drug for cutaneous sporotrichosis. Heat application to lesions may help since low temperatures are preferred by the fungus.

Wearing gloves and other protective clothing when gardening or handling animal especially cats are necessary as preventive methods against the infection.