Differences in virulence between isolates of feline Sporotrichosis.

Sporotrichosis is a chronic subcutaneous mycosis caused by Sporothrix schenckii. This work aimed to evaluate the virulence of two different isolates of S. schenckii from cutaneous (CUT) and systemic (SYS) forms of feline sporotrichosis. A standard inoculum with 2 x 10(3) yeast cells/ml was prepared from each of the isolates. The experimental infection was carried out with 0.1 ml of the inoculum from both isolates and then injected in the paw pads of Swiss albino mice of groups CUT and SYS. The clinical evolution of the disease and the diameter of the lesion at the inoculated sites were evaluated during nine weeks. Four necropsies were done to collect material from the lesions (p < 0.01). Group CUT demonstrated a more evident clinical evolution of the disease from week two to week five; large lesions in the paw pad on week four (p < 0.01); and a higher incidence of lesions in other parts of the body (p < 0.01) than group SYS (p < 0.01). S. schenckii was isolated from the inoculated site in groups SYS and CUT until days 30 and 45, respectively. Granulomas with yeast cells usually localized in the central area were observed in histopathology sections on days 15 and 30 post-inoculations. Those yeast cells decreased on day 45 being absent on day 62 when tissue repair initiated. The results showed that distinct clinical isolates of S. schenckii cause significant differences in the clinical evolution of sporotrichosis.