In 2017, the WHO added sporotrichosis to the list of neglected tropical diseases. Sporotrichosis is a primarily cutaneous or lymphocutaneous disease that affects humans, cats, and other mammals. It is caused by fungi in the genus Sporothrix that are found worldwide in soil and plant matter. The primary mode of infection is by traumatic inoculation (e.g., pricks of rose thorns or other plant material on which the fungus is present), and cats can also transmit sporotrichosis directly to cats, humans, and other mammals. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical, as infections generally do not resolve without treatment and can lead to stigma and disability. Prevention methods, including the use of gloves, protective clothing and shoes when handling roses, hay, and sphagnum moss, have the potential to reduce infections. Treatment of sporotrichosis in cats can prevent transmission from animals to humans.

This course is intended to provide basic information for front-line health workers to recognize and treat sporotrichosis. The course will also present notes from the field to demonstrate how this fungal disease is managed in different parts of the world.

Más Información: https://openwho.org/courses/NTDs-sporotrichosis

Photo credit: WHO / G. Ritlewski