Sketchy Micro: Sporothrix Schenckii

Question 1

Sporothrix is commonly contracted by _______________.

Answer 1

getting pricked by rose thorns (which is why this Sketch takes place in a rose garden)

Question 2

Describe two key morphological features of Sporothrix schenckii.

Answer 2

• It is dimorphic (like the butterfly)

* It has branching hyphae (like the branching rose stems)

Question 3

What are molds and yeasts?

Answer 3

Molds are hyphae-forming fungi and yeasts are circular budding fungi.

Question 4

Sporothrix has __________-shaped yeast.

Answer 4

cigar (like the cigar smoked by the gardener)

Question 5

What presentation is typical of cutaneous Sporothrix infection?

Answer 5

Sporothrix causes pustules at the site of infection followed by ascending lymphadenitis with red bumps (represented by the vine with red bulbs wrapped around the gardener’s arm).

Question 6

What two treatments are used for Sporothrix infections?

Answer 6

Itraconazole (like the pinecones) and potassium iodide (like the potassium iodide weed killer being sprayed by the gardener)