Fixed cutaneous infections occur at the site of inoculation and remain confined entirely to the skin. Lymphocutaneous disease results from lymphangitic spread of an infection. Extracutaneous, or disseminated sporotrichosis, can present as pyelonephritis, orchitis, mastitis, synovitis, meningitis, or osseous infection. Sporotrichosis can cause a monoarthritis, typically involving the knee. Many affected individuals are immunosuppressed by alcoholism or HIV infection.
Pulmonary involvement is rare.
As an unreported, sporadic disease, its incidence is difficult to estimate. The mold itself is endemic to the Missouri and the Mississippi River Valleys. Sporotrichosis is rare in Europe. Scarring can result at ulcerated sites. Systemic infections can be life threatening, especially in the immunocompromised host.