Sporothrix brasiliensis genotyping reveals numerous independent zoonotic introductions in Brazil

In the last decades, multiple fungal species have emerged, posing threats to public health. 1 Lockhart S.R. Guarner J. Emerging and reemerging fungal infections. Semin Diagn Pathol. 2019; 36: 177-181https://doi.org/10.1053/j.semdp.2019.04.010 Crossref PubMed Scopus (79) Google Scholar In this journal, we have reported the emergence of Candida auris in South America. 2 Calvo B. Melo A.S. Perozo-Mena A. Hernandez M. Francisco E.C. Hagen F. et al. First report of Candida auris in America: clinical and microbiological aspects of 18 episodes of candidemia. J Infect. 2016; 73: 369-374https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinf.2016.07.008 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (289) Google Scholar Sporothrix brasiliensis constitutes another emerging fungal threat on the continent. This dimorphic fungus is the causative agent of human and animal sporotrichosis, and its first appearance was retrospectively identified in 1998 in Rio de Janeiro. 3 Gremiao I.D. Miranda L.H. Reis E.G. Rodrigues A.M. Pereira S.A. Zoonotic epidemic of sporotrichosis: cat to human transmission. PLoS Pathog. 2017; 13e1006077https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1006077 Crossref PubMed Scopus (178) Google Scholar Since then, there has been a staggering increase in the number of feline and human cases in various Brazilian States. 4 de Carvalho J.A. Beale M.A. Hagen F. Fisher M.C. Kano R. Bonifaz A. et al. Trends in the molecular epidemiology and population genetics of emerging Sporothrix species. Stud Mycol. 2021; 100100129https://doi.org/10.1016/j.simyco.2021.100129 Crossref Scopus (18) Google Scholar Recently, it was also found in the South American countries Argentina, Paraguay, and Chile, 5 Etchecopaz A. Toscanini M.A. Gisbert A. Mas J. Scarpa M. Iovannitti C.A. et al. Sporothrix brasiliensis: a review of an emerging South American fungal pathogen, its related disease, presentation and spread in Argentina. J Fungi. 2021; 7: 170https://doi.org/10.3390/jof7030170 Crossref PubMed Scopus (39) Google Scholar , 6 Thomson P. González C. Blank O. Ramírez V. del Río C. Santibáñez S. et al. Sporotrichosis outbreak due to Sporothrix brasiliensis in domestic cats in Magallanes, Chile: a one-health-approach study. J Fungi. 2023; 9: 226https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9020226 Crossref PubMed Scopus (4) Google Scholar while also three cases were reported in London that were linked to a domestic cat originally hailed from Brazil. 7 Barnacle J.R. Chow Y.J. Borman A.M. Wyllie S. Dominguez V. Russell K. et al. The first three reported cases of Sporothrix brasiliensis cat-transmitted sporotrichosis outside South America. Med Mycol Case Rep. 2023; 39: 14-17https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mmcr.2022.12.004 Crossref PubMed Scopus (4) Google Scholar This worrying trend highlights the potential of S. brasiliensis to spread globally and the necessity to trace the emergence of this fungus.