Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Sporothrix fungal infection spread between two cats in vet clinics
By Xavier, Rafael Gariglio Clark et al.·Published in Topics in companion animal medicine·2025·Escola de Veteriná, Brazil·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Nosocomial transmission of Sporothrix brasiliensis in two cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Two cats in Brazil developed skin infections after undergoing procedures at different veterinary clinics. About six days after their treatments, they showed small skin lesions that were pus-filled. Tests confirmed that the infections were caused by a fungus called Sporothrix brasiliensis, which can be transmitted through contaminated equipment like fur clippers. This situation highlights the importance of cleanliness in veterinary settings to prevent infections. Both cats were treated, and the report emphasizes the need for careful hygiene practices in clinics to protect pets from such infections.
People also search for: cat skin infection treatment · Sporothrix brasiliensis in cats · how do cats get fungal infections
Abstract
Sporotrichosis is a neglected zoonotic infection caused by pathogenic Sporothrix species, primarily affecting the skin and lymphatic system but occasionally leading to life-threatening systemic disease in some cases. Brazil bears the highest global burden of cat and human sporotrichosis. Transmission mainly occurs through traumatic inoculation of the fungus via cat bites, scratches, thorns, or wooden splinters. To date, nosocomial transmission of Sporothrix spp. has not been reported. This report describes two cases of healthcare-associated sporotrichosis in cats in Belo Horizonte (Minas Gerais, Brazil). Both animals (cases 1 and 2) underwent trichotomy at two different veterinary clinics, with both undergoing abdominal ultrasound examination and one (case 2) receiving further venous access. Small skin lesions caused by the trichotomy presented with purulent content approximately six days after the procedure. Samples from the cutaneous lesions were collected and subjected to cytological examination and mycological culture. S. brasiliensis was confirmed through species-specific PCR and calmodulin (CAL) gene sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that both isolates clustered with clinical S. brasiliensis isolates extracted from infected cats, dogs, and humans in Brazil. These findings highlight the potential for S. brasiliensis transmission through contaminated fur clippers in veterinary hospitals, underscoring the risk of nosocomial infection in animals.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40339984/