New Advances in Sporothrix and Sporotrichosis

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Microbiology and Immunology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 805

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Laboratory of Clinical Research on Dermatozoonoses in Domestic Animals, Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Av. Brasil, 4365, Rio de Janeiro 21040-360, Brazil
Interests: Sporothrix schenckii; therapeutics; sporotrichosis

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Guest Editor
Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara 14800-903, São Paulo, Brazil
Interests: fungus-host interaction; environmental biotechnology; microbial ecology; waste valorization; sustainability

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sporotrichosis, historically considered a neglected mycosis, has recently gained prominence due to its expanding geographic distribution, zoonotic nature—especially involving domestic cats—and emergence as an opportunistic infection in immunocompromised patients. The Sporothrix genus displays strong ecological resilience, persisting in diverse environments, even those contaminated with heavy metals and other pollutants, which adds complexity to the eco-epidemiological landscape of the disease. Recent advances in genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics have deepened our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying fungal adaptation, virulence, and host–pathogen interactions. Additionally, new genetic engineering tools have opened new avenues to evaluate cutting-edge pathways involved in disease mechanisms. In this context, epidemiological studies, innovations in diagnostics, antifungal therapy, and preventive strategies are urgently needed. This Special Issue invites multidisciplinary research that broadens our understanding of Sporothrix species, focusing on their biology, ecology, molecular and pathogenic mechanisms, and clinical management. It encourages submissions on novel diagnostics, innovative treatments, and therapeutic and prevention strategies for both human and veterinary sporotrichosis. Accepted contributions may include original research, reviews, short communications, and case reports. Key topics include, but are not limited to, environmental biology, zoonotic transmission, immune responses, diagnostic advancements, molecular tools, omics approaches, antifungal discovery, and immunotherapies. The aim is to foster a comprehensive understanding of this increasingly relevant fungal disease.

Dr. Sandro Pereira
Dr. Damiana Téllez-Martínez
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • Sporothrix
  • sporotrichosis
  • fungus–environment interactions
  • zoonotic transmission
  • molecular diagnosis
  • antifungal therapy
  • omics approaches
  • host–pathogen interactions
  • immunotherapeutic strategies
  • immune response

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

15 pages, 1151 KB  
Article
Dendritic Cell-Based Therapeutic Immunization Induces Th1/Th17 Responses and Reduces Fungal Burden in Experimental Sporotrichosis
by Juliana Aparecida Jellmayer, Adriana Fernandes de Deus, Matheus Ricardo Curti Gonçalves, Lucas Souza Ferreira, Francine Alessandra Manente, Larissa Silva Pinho Caetano, Fernanda Luiza Piccineli, Thais Zamberço dos Reis Genari, Beatriz da Cunha Saçaki, Tarcila Pavicic Catalan de Oliveira Campos, Deivys Leandro Portuondo, Alexander Batista-Duharte and Iracilda Zeppone Carlos
Microorganisms 2025, 13(10), 2351; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13102351 - 14 Oct 2025
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Abstract
Sporotrichosis is a globally distributed mycosis caused by thermally dimorphic fungi of the Sporothrix schenckii species complex. In Brazil, sporotrichosis is considered endemic and is usually acquired through zoonotic transmission from infected cats. The clinical manifestations may be cutaneous, lymphocutaneous, or systemic, the [...] Read more.
Sporotrichosis is a globally distributed mycosis caused by thermally dimorphic fungi of the Sporothrix schenckii species complex. In Brazil, sporotrichosis is considered endemic and is usually acquired through zoonotic transmission from infected cats. The clinical manifestations may be cutaneous, lymphocutaneous, or systemic, the latter being more commonly observed in immunosuppressed patients. The limited effectiveness of antifungal treatments against this mycosis, particularly in immunocompromised individuals, has led to the search for more effective and safer therapies. Based on several studies demonstrating the efficient use of dendritic cells as tools for the development of antifungal vaccines, this work aimed to evaluate the protective capacity of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) activated with cell wall proteins of S. schenckii (SsCWP) in mice infected with S. schenckii sensu stricto. BMDCs were stimulated with SsCWP and analyzed for the surface expression of costimulatory molecules as well as proinflammatory cytokine secretion. Subsequently, mice were vaccinated once or twice to assess immunogenicity, and finally, the therapeutic effect of BMDCs on S. schenckii infection was evaluated. Our results show that SsCWP was able to activate BMDCs. Immunization of healthy mice with SsCWP-stimulated BMDCs induced a balanced Th1/Th17-based immune response. Vaccination of mice previously infected with S. schenckii induced a mixed Th1/Th17 response and reduced fungal burden in the spleen. Overall, these findings demonstrate that therapeutic vaccination with SsCWP-stimulated BMDCs improves fungal control, supporting the notion that dendritic cells represent a promising therapeutic strategy against sporotrichosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Sporothrix and Sporotrichosis)
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