Existence of Sporothrix schenckii as a pulmonary saprophyte.
A 48-year-old male custodian and part-time gardener was hospitalized for treatment of renal tuberculosis. Sputum cultures failed to reveal mycobacteria, but Sporothrix schenckii was isolated over an eight-month period. In the absence of clinical or roentgenographic evidence of active lung disease, we postulate the saprophytic existence of S schenckii in this patient's tracheobronchial tree. Recognition of this state would obviate the need for the commonly accepted therapy for pulmonary sporotrichosis, amphotericin B.
D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology*; D008172:Lung Diseases, Fungal / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013174:Sporotrichosis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D014398:Tuberculosis, Renal / Q000150:complications