Ocular Manifestations of Sporotrichosis in a Hyperendemic Region in Brazil: Description of a Series of 120 Cases

Ocul Immunol Inflamm. 2023 Feb;31(2):329-337. doi: 10.1080/09273948.2022.2027465. Epub 2022 Jan 26.

Abstract

Purpose: To describe 120 cases of ocular sporotrichosis.

Methods: Review of medical records of patients with culture-proven (from eye specimen) ocular sporotrichosis, in Rio de Janeiro, from 2007 to 2017.

Results: Women were more affected (61.7%) and median age was 24 years. The isolated ocular form was more frequent (75.8%). Fixed cutaneous sporotrichosis was the most commonly associated form (48.3%). Hypersensitivity reactions were observed in 10% of patients. Ocular involvement was unilateral in 98.3% of the cases, and the most frequent clinical presentation was granulomatous conjunctivitis (86.7%), followed by eyelid lesion (25%). Dacryocystitis represented 7.5% of the cases, predominantly in children (55.6%). Itraconazole was the first choice treatment (95.8%). Sequelae were observed in 23 patients (22.5%), and surgical treatment was required for most of them.

Conclusion: Ocular sporotrichosis can be considered a characteristic form of the zoonotic transmission, with high morbidity. Delay in initiating specific treatment is likely to increase the risk of progression to more severe forms of the disease, and development of ocular sequelae.

Keywords: Ocular sporotrichosis; Parinaud; Sporothrix; bulbar conjunctivitis; dacryocystitis; granulomatous conjunctivitis; zoonotic transmission.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Eyelids / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Itraconazole / therapeutic use
  • Sporothrix*
  • Sporotrichosis* / diagnosis
  • Sporotrichosis* / drug therapy
  • Sporotrichosis* / epidemiology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Itraconazole