Ocular Sporotrichosis: 26 Cases with Bulbar Involvement in a Hyperendemic Area of Zoonotic Transmission

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To describe 26 cases of bulbar conjunctival sporotrichosis.

Methods

Review of clinical records of patients with bulbar conjunctivitis due to culture-proven Sporothrix spp. infection, in Rio de Janeiro, from 2007 to 2017.

Results

Twenty-six patients were identified. Median age was 25 years. Adults were more affected (53.8%), followed by adolescents (26.9%). There was a predominance of women (73.1%). Twenty-four patients (96%) reported contact with cats with sporotrichosis. Twenty-one patients (80.8%) presented a primary ocular sporotrichosis. Five patients presented associated eyelid lesions, and 21 (80.8%) tarsal conjunctivitis. Parinaud oculoglandular syndrome was observed in 17 (81%) patients. Eight patients (36.4%) reported the use of steroid drops before diagnosis was made. All patients but one were treated with oral itraconazole. Twenty-three patients (88.5%) were completely cured and three (11.5%) were lost to follow-up. Eight patients (34.8%) developed ocular sequelae.

Conclusion

Bulbar conjunctivitis is an important clinical presentation of ocular sporotrichosis. It can lead to ocular sequelae. Sporotrichosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of ophthalmic external diseases, especially in patients with cat contact history

Keywords:

• Bulbar conjunctiva
• bulbar conjunctivitis
• itraconazole
• sequelae
• ocular sporotrichosis
• granulomatous conjunctivitis
• Parinaud oculoglandular syndrome
• Sporothrix
• sporotrichosis

ETHICS APPROVAL

The study protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of INI-FIOCRUZ (CAAE 71024417.5.0000.5262).

PATIENT CONSENT

: Not required.

DECLARATION OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

DATA SHARING STATEMENT

Unpublished data are available on contacting the corresponding author.

CONTRIBUTORS

AA, ALQCA, MCGG, and ALLC conceived the study idea, designed the study and collected data. AA drafted the initial manuscript; AA, ALQCA, DFSF, ACFV, MCGG, and ALLC all reviewed the draft and provided critical evaluations and improvements

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

The authors received financial support from INI/FIOCRUZ, that provided infrastructure and paid for publishing expenses. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.