Perfil clinico-epidemiológico da esporotricose felina no hospital veterinário da UFPB estudo retrospectivo (2020–2024)

Abstract

Sporotrichosis is a zoonotic subcutaneous mycosis caused by the Sporothrix schenckii complex fungus. Domestic cats are the main affected animal and a significant disseminator. There are two important transmission routes: the sapronotic route, through contact with contaminated soil and organic matter, and the zoonotic route, through scratches or bites from infected animals, primarily domestic cats. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the clinical and epidemiological profile of domestic cats with suspected sporotrichosis treated at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Paraíba, Areia campus, Paraíba, between 2020 and 2024. A total of 287 medical records of cats with requests for laboratory testing for sporotrichosis were analyzed. Ten records were missing test results and were discarded. Of the 277 records included in the study, 75 (27.08%) tested positive for Sporothrix spp., confirmed primarily by cytology, the most frequently requested test. The highest frequency of positive results was observed in male mixed-breed cats (SRD), young adults (1 to 6 years old), unneutered, semi-domiciled, and from urban areas. Disseminated skin lesions, especially in exposed areas such as the head and limbs, were more frequent. Of the suspected cats treated, 94.22% came from 33 municipalities in Paraíba, with positive animals in 18 (54.55%) municipalities, with the highest frequency of positive results coming from the municipalities of Remígio, Arara, Bananeiras, Areia, Esperança, and Guarabira. The remaining animals came from other states (Pernambuco, São Paulo, and Paraná, with one positive cat each; and Rio de Janeiro and Rio Grande do Norte, with no positive cats). These results show that feline sporotrichosis is widespread in the state of Paraíba and other states of the country. These findings contribute to expanding knowledge of the epidemiology of feline sporotrichosis, providing relevant data to support epidemiological surveillance and control efforts.