Esporotricose do gato doméstico (Felis catus): transmissão humana / Sporotrichosis of the domestic cat (Felis catus): human transmission

ABSTRACT

A case of sporotrichosis transmitted by cat to a veterinarian hospital employees is reported. Inquiry at domiciliary area of the cat's owner revealed two other presumable cases of human sporotrichosis transmitted by cats, and confirmed the diagnosis (by culture of Sporothrix schenckii) of disease in three other domestic cats. Feline sporotrichosis is characterized by ulcerative, cutaneous lesions and systemic dissemination, which invariably cause animal's death. The transmission of sporotrichosis to other animals and humans is enhanced by the great amount of fungus present in cat's lesions.