Evidence Hub

A case report of rapid diagnosis of Sporothrix globosa infection using MetaCAP

Li C, Zhong X, Guo S, Liu F, Song Y, Zhao Z, Jiang G

Frontiers in medicine, 2025

1 citation

Abstract

Background: Sporothrix globosa (S. globosa) is a significant pathogenic fungus responsible for, causing sporotrichosis. Metagenomics capture (MetaCAP), a high-throughput sequencing technology for pathogen nucleic acid detection based on probe capture, facilitates early diagnosis of S. globosa infections. Herein, we present a case of S. globosa infection diagnosed using MetaCAP.

Case summary: A 47 year-old female, initially diagnosed with reactive perforating collagenosis, developed epidermal erosion at the affected site after self-applying a poorly air-permeable topical patch purchased online. She subsequently exhibited progressive redness, edema, severe pruritus, and an increase in papules that coalesced into plaques following exposure to decaying wood. She revisited our hospital for further consultation. The diagnosis of sporotrichosis caused by S. globosa was confirmed through a pathological examination of the affected skin tissue and MetaCAP testing. Then, she was treated with itraconazole and naftifine hydrochloride and ketoconazole cream. After a three-month follow-up, the patient's skin rash showed significant improvement.

Conclusion: A case of S. globosa infection was promptly diagnosed through MetaCAP and effectively treated with itraconazole.

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a case report, done in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

Read the paper

Related studies

Go deeper in Evidence Hub

Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.

Open this study Sign up free