Importance of the direct fresh examination in the diagnosis of cutaneous sporotrichosis.

BACKGROUND

To date the direct fresh examination has not been considered, except by a few authors, as a valid laboratory procedure for the diagnosis of cutaneous sporotrichosis.

METHODS

Forty-two patients with cutaneous sporotrichosis (36 lymphangitic and six fixed) were studied. Pus was obtained through digital compression of opened lesions followed by collection with a spatula and examination of the material between the slide and the coverslip. Cultures on Sabouraud's glucose agar slants with cloramphenicol and cicloheximide were made in all cases.

RESULTS

Direct, fresh examination asteroid bodies of Sporothrix schenckii were found in 85.7% of the cases, which allowed the authors to immediately diagnose the disease. Cultures confirmed the diagnosis in 95.2% of the patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Fastness, simplicity and low cost of the fresh examination lead us to recommend systematic use of the method for primary diagnosis of the disease, mainly at first level public health laboratories.