Scientists Warn of Fungus Spreading From Cats to Humans

Fungus That Spreads From Cats To Humans Has Been Detected, Raising Concerns Among Scientists A fungus called Sporothrix brasiliensis has been detected spreading from cats to humans in Uruguay, raising concerns among scientists about its potential for wider transmission. This fungus causes skin infections and has been identified in both animals and people in the Maldonado and Rocha departments along the country’s southeastern coast. Researchers at the Universidad de la República (Udelar) documented cases linking the fungus to cats, other pets, and humans. Elisa Cabeza’s team found infected cats with no connection to an initial case, indicating local transmission rather than isolated household spread. Open sores on infected cats, particularly around the nose, face, mouth, and paws, carry high concentrations of the fungus. When cats scratch or bite humans, or when wound fluid comes into contact with broken skin, the fungus can enter tissue and begin growing. Outside the body, Sporothrix brasiliensis grows as branching threads, but body heat triggers a shift to a compact yeast form. This yeast form settles more easily into damaged skin and multiplies within living tissue, leading to persistent skin lesions. Street cats, which often fight and roam widely, can transmit the fungus between neighborhoods before detection occurs. The fungus is not new to science but has historically been associated with different transmission patterns. Its appearance in cats and subsequent spread to humans in Uruguay represents a concerning shift in epidemiology. Health officials are monitoring the situation closely due to the fungus’s ability to spread efficiently through animal contact and the potential for undetected transmission in roaming cat populations. No specific treatments or preventive measures were detailed in the verified sources, but the detection underscores the importance of monitoring zoonotic fungal pathogens and understanding how companion animals can contribute to the emergence of infectious diseases in humans. Continued surveillance and research are needed to assess the full scope of the threat and guide public health responses.