Difference analysis of cutaneous sporotrichosis between different regions in China: a secondary analysis based on published studies on sporotrichosis in China

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous sporotrichosis is prevalent worldwide and a common subcutaneous fungal disease in northeast China. The incidence of cutaneous sporotrichosis in southern China cannot be ignored. Previous studies have revealed differences between different regions in China regarding populations susceptible to infection, cause of infection, and pathological mechanisms of sporotrichosis. Therefore, This study aimed to analyze the differences in the epidemiological characteristics of cutaneous sporotrichosis in different regions of China to provide a reference for regional prevention, control, and treatment. METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CNKI, WanFang Data, and VIP for published reports on cutaneous sporotrichosis in China. The information about the characteristics of populations getting cutaneous sporotrichosis, causes of infection, disease types, and treatment regimens was extracted from studies to construct a knowledge database of cutaneous sporotrichosis in China. Taking the Qinling Mountains-Huaihe River line as the boundary to divide China into the northern and southern, the epidemiological characteristics of cutaneous sporotrichosis in two parts of China were analyzed. RESULTS: In northern China, more women than men get cutaneous sporotrichosis (60.4% vs. 39.6%), while it is the other way around in southern China (men vs. women: 50.6% vs. 49.4%). In northern China, the incidence of this disease was more concentrated in spring (34.0%) and winter (35.7%), while in southern China, this disease frequently spread in spring (48.1%) and summer (26.9%). In the north, cutaneous sporotrichosis usually affected the face (50.1%) and limbs (45.3%), while in the south, it targets limbs (72.6%). In northern China, potassium iodide (30.5%) and combination therapy (37.8%) were preferred, while in southern China, potassium iodide (86.0%) was the main choice. Although there was a significant difference in treatment regimens (P<0.05), no significant difference emerged in cure rates between northern and southern China (98.5% vs. 98.4%, P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It is the first retrospective study on sporotrichosis in China. It describes the prevention of sporotrichosis in China since it was first reported and also reflects the differences in sporotrichosis between the northern and southern of China. This study provides a valuable reference for the prevention, control, and treatment of sporotrichosis in different regions of China.