Presentation of Sporothrix schenkii in pulmonary cytology specimens
Farley, M.L.; Fagan, M.F.; Mabry, L.C.; Wallace, R.J.
Acta Cytologica 35(4): 389-395
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-5547 PMID: 1927172 Document Number: 368718
Macrophages containing small ovoid intracytoplasmic yeast cells, surrounded by a slight "halo", were observed in Papanicolaou-stained smears submitted for cytologic examination from two patients with culture-confirmed pulmonary sporotrichosis. The cytologic findings are presented and discussed in relation to other pulmonary fungal infections and the appropriate stains to be used for their cytologic detection. The clinical symptoms of pulmonary sporotrichosis are nonspecific and may mimic those of tuberculosis or other diseases; the causative organism, Sporothrix schenkii, may remain undetected by routine microbiologic procedures unless there is cause to suspect the diagnosis. Sporotrichosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis when small ovoid intracellular yeast cells (2 .mu.m to 4 .mu.m in length) with an apparent "halo" are observed within macrophages in pulmonary cytology specimens; the recognition of these findings may aid the diagnosis of this relatively rare disease.