McGuinness SL; Boyd, Rowena; Kidd Sarah; McLeod C; Krause, Vicki; Ralph, Anna

Author(s)

McGuinness SL

Boyd, Rowena

Kidd Sarah

McLeod C

Krause, Vicki

Ralph, Anna

Publication Date

2016-01-13

Abstract

An outbreak of cutaneous sporotrichosis occurred in the Darwin region of the Northern Territory (NT) in 2014. We aimed to determine the source and risk factors associated with the outbreak and describe the clinical spectrum of cases seen. Epidemiological investigation of cases of cutaneous sporotrichosis identified through the Royal Darwin Hospital was undertaken to investigate risk factors and potential sources of infection. Data were collected through chart review and individual patient interviews. Environmental investigation followed identification of a common risk factor. Nine confirmed cases of cutaneous sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix schenckii were identified with onset of symptoms between April and July 2014. Patients were aged 29 to 70 years and seven were male (78%). Two strains of S. schenckii were identified, neither of which have been previously documented. One common risk factor was identified: all patients were occupational or recreational gardeners, with each reporting exposure to mulching hay, originating from a single NT farm. Local environmental health officers visited the farm and the owners confirmed that the implicated hay had been stored over the monsoon season and had been affected by rain. Storage of hay over the wet season was a new practice. This constitutes the third reported outbreak of S. schenckii sporotrichosis attributable to contaminated hay in Australia and the first outbreak of sporotrichosis in the NT. This outbreak prompted public health interventions, including distribution of information to general practitioners, farmers and suppliers in the Top End. Media reporting led to the identification and treatment of an additional case. Local practitioners should remain alert to the possibility of further occurrences of sporotrichosis.

Citation

BMC infectious diseases 2016-01-13; 16: 16

Pubmed ID

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26758905/?otool=iaurydwlib

Link

https://hdl.handle.net/10137/5402

MESH subject

Adult

Aged

Disease Outbreaks

Female

Humans

Male

Middle Aged

Northern Territory

Risk Factors

Seasons

Sporothrix

Sporotrichosis

Title

Epidemiological investigation of an outbreak of cutaneous sporotrichosis, Northern Territory, Australia.

Type of document

Journal Article

Entity Type

Publication

Author(s)	McGuinness SL Boyd, Rowena Kidd Sarah McLeod C Krause, Vicki Ralph, Anna
Publication Date	2016-01-13
Abstract	An outbreak of cutaneous sporotrichosis occurred in the Darwin region of the Northern Territory (NT) in 2014. We aimed to determine the source and risk factors associated with the outbreak and describe the clinical spectrum of cases seen. Epidemiological investigation of cases of cutaneous sporotrichosis identified through the Royal Darwin Hospital was undertaken to investigate risk factors and potential sources of infection. Data were collected through chart review and individual patient interviews. Environmental investigation followed identification of a common risk factor. Nine confirmed cases of cutaneous sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix schenckii were identified with onset of symptoms between April and July 2014. Patients were aged 29 to 70 years and seven were male (78%). Two strains of S. schenckii were identified, neither of which have been previously documented. One common risk factor was identified: all patients were occupational or recreational gardeners, with each reporting exposure to mulching hay, originating from a single NT farm. Local environmental health officers visited the farm and the owners confirmed that the implicated hay had been stored over the monsoon season and had been affected by rain. Storage of hay over the wet season was a new practice. This constitutes the third reported outbreak of S. schenckii sporotrichosis attributable to contaminated hay in Australia and the first outbreak of sporotrichosis in the NT. This outbreak prompted public health interventions, including distribution of information to general practitioners, farmers and suppliers in the Top End. Media reporting led to the identification and treatment of an additional case. Local practitioners should remain alert to the possibility of further occurrences of sporotrichosis.
Citation	BMC infectious diseases 2016-01-13; 16: 16
Pubmed ID	https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26758905/?otool=iaurydwlib
Link	https://hdl.handle.net/10137/5402
MESH subject	Adult Aged Disease Outbreaks Female Humans Male Middle Aged Northern Territory Risk Factors Seasons Sporothrix Sporotrichosis
Title	Epidemiological investigation of an outbreak of cutaneous sporotrichosis, Northern Territory, Australia.
Type of document	Journal Article
Entity Type	Publication

Epidemiological investigation of an outbreak of cutaneous sporotrichosis, Northern Territory, Australia.

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