Cutaneous Hypersensitivity to Sporotrichin in Louisiana

Cutaneous sensitivity to sporotrichin antigen was tested in 383 people without any previous history of overt sporotrichosis. Positive reactions were observed in 11.2% of 349 prison inmates and hospital ward patients, and in 32.3% of 34 nursery employees. Considering only those nursery workers employed for more than ten years, the incidence of positive reactors rose to 58.3%. There was no significant correlation between reactions to the sporotrichin antigen and reactions to other fungal antigens. These findings suggest that infection withSporotrichum schenckiiis probably more common than previously suspected, and that a direct relationship exists between the incidence of infection and prolonged opportunity for contact with the infecting agent.