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Sporotrichosis Itraconazole — SCE Infectious Diseases MCQ

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EasyFungal InfectionsSporotrichosis ItraconazoleSCE Infectious Diseases

A 35-year-old man presents with a chronic non-healing ulcer on his nose. He is a keen gardener. Tissue culture grows a dimorphic fungus — mould at 25°C and yeast at 37°C. The organism is identified as Sporothrix schenckii. What is the treatment for cutaneous/lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis?

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Correct answer: B — Itraconazole 200 mg daily for 3–6 months — first-line for cutaneous and lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis

Sporotrichosis (caused by the dimorphic fungus Sporothrix schenckii) presents as cutaneous or lymphocutaneous disease (sporotrichoid spread — nodules tracking along lymphatics). First-line treatment is oral Itraconazole 200 mg daily for 3–6 months (until 2–4 weeks after clinical resolution). Terbinafine (250 mg BD) is an alternative. Disseminated or pulmonary sporotrichosis requires Liposomal Amphotericin B induction followed by Itraconazole. The organism grows as a mould at 25°C and converts to yeast at 37°C — classic thermal dimorphism.

Reference: IDSA 2007 – Sporotrichosis; BSAC 2022 – Antifungal guidelines