Promising application of the SsCBF ELISA test to monitor the therapeutic response of feline sporotrichosis caused bySporothrix brasiliensisfrom Brazilian epidemics

Sporotrichosis zoonotic transmission by cats has obtained hyperendemic magnitude in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.Atypical cases, relapses, and reinfections as well as reduced diagnostic sensitivity of conventional methods have been reported. Previously, the anti-SsCBF enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test was shown to be useful as a diagnostic tool for human sporotrichosis. Effective diagnosis and treatment are critical to interrupt the chain of transmission of this major pathogen in Brazilian Public Health. To evaluate its applicability for feline sporotrichosis diagnosis and/or therapeutic follow-up, 15 domestic cats from Rio de Janeiro were clinically and laboratory monitored by cytopathology, culture,Sporothrixgenotyping, and anti-SsCBF IgG levels. Subsequently, animals were divided into satisfactory and non-satisfactory therapeutic responders. Averages of antibody serum levels obtained for diagnosis (first consultation) compared with the levels found after follow-up (last consultation) were significantly different in both groups (p = 0.0002 andp = 0.038, respectively). We conclude that the SsCBF ELISA test can predict feline sporotrichosis therapeutic responses even for animals with distinct clinical evolutions.

Automated summary

The study suggests that sporotrichosis zoonotic transmission by cats has reached a high level of local transmission in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The SsCBF ELISA test is found to be valuable for predicting therapeutic responses in feline sporotrichosis.