Sporotrichosis in children: three case reports and review of the literature.

Abstract

Sporotrichosis (S) is a rare chronic fungal skin infection caused by Sporotrix schenckii. The usual mode of infection is traumatic inoculation (sharp plants, thorns) of soil, plants and organic material contaminated by the fungus. S has various clinical manifestations (fixed cutaneous, lymphocutaneous, and disseminated forms) and can also progress to systemic infection. Culture is the gold standard for diagnosing S, and itraconazole is the treatment of choice. However, some countries prefer potassium iodide because it is a low-cost alternative. In the current report, three cases of S in childhood are described and a literature review is done.