Contributor: Gordon K. Klintworth
Sporotrichosis is a fungal infection due to Sporothrix schenckii. The organisms, which have a typical small cigar-shaped configuration in tissue sections, are saprophytes found on plants, green vegetables, grass and wood and enters the body at a site of injury. Following inoculation of  Sporothrix a small nodule forms at the site of injury. This is usually in the subcutaneous tissue and the lesion frequently ulcerates. New nodules typically form along the draining lymphatic channels. The tissue reaction is variable and may consist of granulomas with multinucleated giant cells and epithelioid cells, or a suppurative granulomatous responsemay ensue with clusters of neutrophils. Fungi may be surrounded by an asteroid. Rarely the fungus causes hematogenous spread to distant systemic sites. Ocular sporotrichosis is rare and part of a localized infection rather than focus of hematogenous spread. in Sporotrichosis can cause conjunctivitis or endophthalmitis. Scleral perforation may even occur. Sporothrichum schenckii may extend directly into the eye or orbit from the eyelids and conjunctiva. Affected individuals are commonly healthy without a known presdisposing condition. Anterior uveitis [uveitis - anterior] is the most common presenting manifestation of intraocular sporotrichosis. The diagnosis of sporotrichosisis is made by culturing the fungus from infected tissue.