A plant prick can produce
sporotrichosis. All are true statements
about sporotrichosis except -
a) Is a chronic mycotic disease that typically involves skin,
subcutaneous tissue and regional lymphatics
b) Most cases are acquired via cutaneous inoculation
c) Enlarged lymph nodes extending centripetally as a beaded
chain are a characteristic finding
d) It is an occupational disease of butchers, doctors
Correct Answer - D
Ans. is ‘d’ i.e., It is an occupational disease of butchers, doctors
- Sporotrichosis is caused by the thermally dimorphic
fungus sporothrix schenckii. - Because S.schenckii naturally found in soil, hay, sphagnum moss,
and plants, it usually affects farmers, gardeners, and agricultural
workers. - This fungal disease usually affects the skin although rare forms
can affect the lungs, joints, bones and CNS. - Fungus enters through small cuts and abrasions in the skin to
cause the infection. - Because roses can spread the disease, it is one of a few diseases
referred to as rose-thorn or rose gardener’s disease. Forms and
symptoms of sporotrichosis:
- Cutaneous (skin) sporotrichosis
- This is the most common form of this disease.
- Symptoms of this form includes nodular lesions or bumps in the
skin, at the point of entry and also along lymph nodes and vessels. - The lesion starts off as small and painless, nodule and ranges in
colour from pink to purple. - Left untreated, the lesion becomes larger and looks similar to a boil
and more lesions will appear, until a chronic ulcer develops. - Usually cutaneous sporotrichosis lesions occurs in the finger, hand
and arm.
- Pulmonary sporotrichosis
- This rare form of the disease occur when S.schenckii spores
are inhaled. - Symptoms include productive cough, nodules, cavitations and
fibrosis of lungs; and hilar lymph node enlargement. - Patients with this form of sporotrichosis are susceptible to
developing tuberculosis and pneumonia.
- Disseminated sporotrichosis
- When the infection spreads from the primary site to secondary
sites in the body, the disease develops into a rare and critical form
called disseminated sporotrichosis. - The infection can spread to joints and bones (called osteoarticular
sporotrichosis) as well as the CNS and brain (sporotrichosis
meningitis).