Esporotricose felina - um estudo epidemiológico em Natal, RN, Brasil

Abstract

Sporotrichosis is a mycosis, subacute or chronic, caused by traumatic implantation of the fungus Sporothrix sp. on the skin, either through the environment (sapronosis) or from contaminated animals (zoonosis). The disease has become a public health problem in Brazil, due to the significant increase in cases in felines and humans. Thus, the objective of this study was to analyze the epidemiological aspects related to the circulation of feline sporotrichosis and its spatial distribution in the city of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, from January 2022 to May 2023. During the study period, 330 cases were analyzed. suspected of feline sporotrichosis. Regarding laboratory diagnosis, it was observed that samples obtained from 330 animals, 210 (63.6%) were positive in the search for Sporothrix sp by cytological diagnosis, 51 (15.4%) negative and 69 (20.9%) undetermined. Of the 210 animals with a laboratory diagnosis of sporotrichosis, 67.6% were males and 32.3% were females. Regarding the distribution of feline sporotrichosis cases according to the Administrative Unit of residence in the municipality, cases of the disease were observed in all regions, with the highest percentage in the North I and II districts, respectively, 26.2% and 40.9% of cases, totaling 67.1%. The districts with the lowest percentage were: West (17.6%), South (8.1%) and East (7.1%). The main clinical symptoms presented by animals with sporotrichosis were ulcers (92.3%), sneezing (35.7%), hair loss (41.4%), nasal secretion (26.6%), cough (21.4 %) and wheezing (21.4%). This work contributed to the description of the dynamics of feline sporotrichosis in Natal and the advancement of the disease in the municipality was noted. The highest concentration of cases coincides with poorer areas and with environmental conditions favorable to the proliferation of neglected diseases.