Sporotrichosis incidence and risk factors in cats in Thonburi District, Bangkok, Thailand: A retrospective study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Sporotrichosis is a zoonotic fungal infection caused byspecies and is a growing concern in feline populations due to its potential for transmission to humans. In Thailand, data on the incidence and associated risk factors remain limited, particularly in urban areas such as Bangkok. AIM: To investigate the incidence and potential risk factors of feline sporotrichosis in Thonburi District, Bangkok, Thailand, from 2018 to 2024. METHODS: A retrospective review of clinical records was conducted at a veterinary clinic in Thonburi. Among the 1,030 cats examined, 22 cases of sporotrichosis were confirmed through cytological examination. Data collected included sex, neuter status, age, husbandry system, feline leukemia virus (FeLV)/feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection status, and blood parasite infections. Statistical analysis using the chi-square test was performed to identify significant associations between infections and risk factors. RESULTS: The incidence of sporotrichosis was 2.14%. Infected cats were evenly distributed between sexes, with 68.18% being unneutered. All infected cats were domestic shorthairs raised in open systems. Clinical signs included ulcerative skin lesions, sneezing, nasal swelling, anorexia, and dehydration. Co-infection with FeLV, FIV, andspp. was common. Significant associations were found between sporotrichosis and FeLV, FIV, andspp. infections (< 0.001). Follow-up data from five treated cats showed complete recovery within 6 months using itraconazole, with no recurrence after 1 year. CONCLUSION: Feline sporotrichosis in Thonburi is significantly associated with open husbandry systems and immunosuppressive viral infections. Effective treatment is possible but requires long-term owner compliance. Public education on closed-system cat care and early diagnosis should be included in preventive strategies. These findings support the relevance of the One Health approach in managing zoonotic fungal diseases in urban settings.