Overview
Sporotrichosis (also called 'rose thorn disease' or 'rose gardener's disease') is a fungal infection caused by a group of fungi called Sporothrix. The most common species is Sporothrix schenckii. This infection usually enters the body through a small cut or scratch in the skin, often from handling thorny plants, sphagnum moss, hay, or soil. It can also spread through contact with infected animals, especially cats. Sporotrichosis is not a genetic disease — it is an infectious disease caused by a fungus found in the environment. The infection most often affects the skin and the tissue just under the skin. It typically starts as a small, painless bump or nodule at the site of injury, which can slowly grow and turn into an open sore. Over time, similar sores may appear along the lymph channels traveling up the arm or leg. In people with weakened immune systems, the infection can spread to the lungs, joints, bones, or even the brain, which is much more serious. Most healthy people with sporotrichosis respond well to antifungal treatment. The standard treatment is an antifungal medicine called itraconazole, taken by mouth for several months. More severe or widespread infections may require a stronger antifungal called amphotericin B, given through a vein. With proper treatment, most people recover fully. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent the infection from spreading.
Key symptoms:
Small, painless bump or nodule at the site of a skin injurySkin sore or ulcer that does not healA line of bumps or sores spreading up the arm or legSwollen lymph nodes near the infectionRedness and swelling around the soreCough or breathing problems (if lungs are affected)Joint pain and swelling (if joints are affected)Headache or confusion (if the brain is affected — rare)Fever and general feeling of being unwell (in widespread infection)Bone pain (if bones are affected — rare)
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
FDA & Trial Timeline
1 eventFirst Hospital of China Medical University — NA
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Sporotrichosis.
1 clinical trialare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Sporotrichosis.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Sporotrichosis.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Sporotrichosis
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Antifungal Agents and Infrared Thermotherapy Alone or in Combination in the Treatment of Sporotrichosis
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Sporotrichosis
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How long will I need to take antifungal medication, and what happens if I miss a dose?,How will we know if the treatment is working, and what follow-up tests will I need?,Is there any risk that the infection has spread beyond my skin, and how would we check for that?,Are there any side effects from itraconazole I should watch out for?,Can I spread this infection to my family members or pets, and what precautions should I take?,Do I need to change anything about my work or hobbies while I am being treated?,What signs should prompt me to go to the emergency room or call you right away?
Common questions about Sporotrichosis
What is Sporotrichosis?
Sporotrichosis (also called 'rose thorn disease' or 'rose gardener's disease') is a fungal infection caused by a group of fungi called Sporothrix. The most common species is Sporothrix schenckii. This infection usually enters the body through a small cut or scratch in the skin, often from handling thorny plants, sphagnum moss, hay, or soil. It can also spread through contact with infected animals, especially cats. Sporotrichosis is not a genetic disease — it is an infectious disease caused by a fungus found in the environment. The infection most often affects the skin and the tissue just unde
How is Sporotrichosis inherited?
Sporotrichosis follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Are there clinical trials for Sporotrichosis?
Yes — 1 recruiting clinical trial is currently listed for Sporotrichosis on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Sporotrichosis?
16 specialists and care centers treating Sporotrichosis are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.