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Sporotrichosis - Overview

Definition of Sporotrichosis:

Sporotrichosis is a long-term (chronic) skin infection due to a certain fungus.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Sporotrichosis is caused by the fungus Sporothrix schenckii, which is found in vegetation. Infection commonly occurs when the skin is broken while handling plant materials such as rosebushes, briars, or mulch-rich dirt.

Sporotrichosis can be a job-related disease (for farmers, horticulturists, rose gardeners, and plant nursery workers). Widespread (disseminated) sporotrichosis can develop in people with compromised immune systems when they inhale dust filled with spores.

  • Reviewed last on: 5/25/2010
  • David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Jatin M. Vyas, PHD, MD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Kauffman CA. Sporotrichosis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 358.

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