Primary conjunctival sporotrichosis: two cases from a zoonotic epidemic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

To describe Sporothrix schenckii conjunctivitis in 2 owners of cats with sporotrichosis. Small case series and literature review. Two women had been caring for their pet cats with sporotrichosis for 2 months but did not recall any traumatic injury such as scratches or bites. Each presented a conjunctival granulomatous lesion measuring 4 to 5 mm accompanied by local hyperemia, secretion, and edema, in addition to painful facial subcutaneous nodes and regional lymph node enlargement. Pyogenic material was collected from the conjunctival sac and from cutaneous lesions on the cats. In both the patients and their respective cats, fungal colonies were isolated and identified as S. schenckii. Treatment with oral itraconazole 100 mg/d for 3 months resulted in complete healing of lesions in both patients. Patients remained clinically cured 15 months after end of treatment. Sporotrichosis is presently occurring as an emerging zoonosis in Rio de Janeiro, and some unusual clinical forms have been diagnosed in humans. The cases reported here suggest atraumatic exposure to cats infected by S. schenckii.