Abstract
Background: Sporotrichosis is a dermatomycosis caused by the dimorphic fungus, Sporothrix schenckii, with various outbreaks across Australia attributed to mouldy hay. Our objective was to investigate the clinical presentation and management of sporadic cutaneous sporotrichosis in a paediatric population in Western Australia.
Method: A retrospective case review was performed of Sporothrix schenckii infections occurring in children below 18 years, between January 2000 and November 2017. Cases were identified in the state‐wide pathology laboratory database (PathWest). Clinical data was obtained from medical records at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children.
Results: Thirty‐three cases of microbiologically proven Sporothrix schenckii infection were identified. Most came from a rural area (n = 20, 60%). Complete clinical data was available on 10 cases (30%).The most common risk factors were exposure to farm animals, hay, insect or animal bites. The median duration from symptom onset to correct diagnosis was 6 weeks (interquartile range [IQR]: 4–7 weeks). All cases were initially treated with broad spectrum antibacterial therapy involving multiple antibacterial agents. All cases received itraconazole for targeted therapy, with the median duration of treatment being 5 months (IQR: 4–6 months). Morbidity occurred in the form of scarring (n = 4), itraconazole associated diarrhoea (n = 1) and mild hepatotoxicity (n = 1).
Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first reported case series of Sporotrichosis in a paediatric population in Australia. This data highlights the importance of recognising Sporotrichosis outside of an outbreak setting, leading to timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment with antifungal agents.
Method: A retrospective case review was performed of Sporothrix schenckii infections occurring in children below 18 years, between January 2000 and November 2017. Cases were identified in the state‐wide pathology laboratory database (PathWest). Clinical data was obtained from medical records at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children.
Results: Thirty‐three cases of microbiologically proven Sporothrix schenckii infection were identified. Most came from a rural area (n = 20, 60%). Complete clinical data was available on 10 cases (30%).The most common risk factors were exposure to farm animals, hay, insect or animal bites. The median duration from symptom onset to correct diagnosis was 6 weeks (interquartile range [IQR]: 4–7 weeks). All cases were initially treated with broad spectrum antibacterial therapy involving multiple antibacterial agents. All cases received itraconazole for targeted therapy, with the median duration of treatment being 5 months (IQR: 4–6 months). Morbidity occurred in the form of scarring (n = 4), itraconazole associated diarrhoea (n = 1) and mild hepatotoxicity (n = 1).
Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first reported case series of Sporotrichosis in a paediatric population in Australia. This data highlights the importance of recognising Sporotrichosis outside of an outbreak setting, leading to timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment with antifungal agents.
| Original language | English |
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| Pages | 103-104 |
| Number of pages | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 May 2018 |
| Event | Australasian College of Dermatology : 51st Annual Scientific Meeting - Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gold Coast, Australia Duration: 19 May 2018 → 22 May 2019 |
Conference
| Conference | Australasian College of Dermatology |
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| Country/Territory | Australia |
| City | Gold Coast |
| Period | 19/05/18 → 22/05/19 |