Topic:Antifungal
Antifungal agents in horses are substances used to treat fungal infections, which can affect various parts of the equine body, including the skin, respiratory system, and hooves. These agents are designed to inhibit the growth of fungi or eliminate fungal pathogens, thereby aiding in the management of conditions such as ringworm, aspergillosis, and thrush. Common antifungal treatments for horses include topical applications, oral medications, and environmental management strategies to reduce fungal exposure. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the efficacy, safety, and application methods of antifungal treatments in equine care.
The conjunctival fungal microflora of horses in a North Queensland tropical environment and their in vitro susceptibilities to antifungal agents. Fungi are ubiquitous in the environment and part of the commensal microflora on the conjunctiva of equine eyes. North Queensland, being tropical, presents an ideal environment for fungi growth. When the cornea is injured, fungi can invade the corneal stroma, resulting in keratomycosis. The objectives of this study were to determine the fungal species specific to the eyes of horses in the Townsville region; to investigate the potential risk factors associated with the presence of fungi; and to test their susceptibility to antifungals to create an empirical guide for treatment. The eyes of forty...
Striving towards access to essential medicines for human and animal health; a situational analysis of access to and use of antifungal medications for histoplasmosis in Ethiopia. Antifungal medications are vital in combatting fungal diseases that affect over a billion people annually. Antifungal medications for people and equids are scarce in Ethiopia, where lack of resources to treat fungal infection, in particular histoplasmosis, is a major health challenge. Histoplasmosis is endemic within the equine population in Ethiopia, where it is estimated that one in five horses are infected. This disease has far reaching impacts on equine welfare and the socio-economic wellbeing of families. The burden of histoplasmosis in people in Ethiopia is currently unknown, representin...
Donkey Milk: An Overview of its Chemical Composition and Main Nutritional Properties or Human Health Benefit Properties. The donkey milk has a remarkable similarity to human milk, in addition to its valuable nutritional composition and content of numerous immune factors. The donkey milk is the subject of research worldwide, and data from the literature suggest significant differences with respect to the contents of individual components. However, some basic characteristics of donkey milk have been established: low contents of fat and cholesterol, total proteins and casein and high contents of lactose, whey proteins, calcium, selenium, and Vitamin D3. The donkey milk is rich in various protective proteins (α-lac...
Evaluation of the effect of conventional and natural antifungals on motility and kinetics of cooled stallion semen. Microbial growth in semen may cause a decline of sperm quality and fertility; however, the addition of antifungals to semen extender has been shown to impair the overall fertility of the sperm. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal activity of conventional and natural compounds, and their effect on the motility and kinetics of cooled stallion semen. A total of 15 ejaculates from five stallions were collected using the artificial vagina. Each ejaculate was supplemented with: fluconazole at 12.5 (F1), 25 (F2) and 50 (F3) mg/ml; amphotericin-B at 6.5 (A1), 12.5 (A2) and 25 (A3) mg/...
16S rDNA and ITS Sequence Diversity of Burkholderia mallei Isolated from Glanders-Affected Horses and Mules in India (2013-2019). Glanders is a highly contagious and fatal infection of equids caused by the bacteria known as Burkholderia mallei. It is one of the notifiable equine diseases and is still present in Asia, South America and Africa. In India, glanders re-emerged in 2006, and thereafter, increasing numbers of cases were reported in different regions of the country. Between 2013 and 2019, 39 B. mallei were isolated from glanders-affected horses (n = 30) and mules (n = 9) from seven states of India such as Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. In this study, ...
First Case Report of Aspergillary Rhinopharyngitis in a Foal From Chile. We present the first case of rhinopharyngitis due to Aspergillus fumigatus in a purebred Chilean horse. Clinically, manifested mucopurulent discharge from both nostrils, inflammation of the nasal, ocular, and ear mucosa; associated with decay and hyporexia. Based on the clinical signs and analysis of the mycological and molecular transtracheal aspirate sample, the present case was diagnosed as Aspergillus fumigatus rhinopharyngitis. After the antifungal susceptibility test, oral itraconazole treatment was maintained for 45 days, showing no clinical sign.
Antifungal susceptibility of dermatophytes from racehorses in Japan. Luliconazole (LCZ) is an imidazole antifungal medication that exhibits excellent activity against dermatophytes. As a topical cream and lotion (approved for human use), LCZ has demonstrated a broad spectrum of activity against human dermatophytoses. Objective: This is the first study to investigate the in vitro susceptibility of clinical isolates from horse dermatophytoses to LCZ. Methods: No animals were used in this study. Methods: In the present study, the in vitro susceptibilities of clinical isolates of dermatophytes to LCZ, clotrimazole (CTZ), miconazole (MCZ) and terbinafine (TRF) wer...
Commercial amniotic membrane extract for treatment of corneal ulcers in adult horses. Amniotic membrane extract enhances the rate of epithelialisation after corneal ulceration in several species but has not been studied in the equine cornea. Objective: To evaluate the effect of amniotic membrane extract on re-epithelialisation of equine corneal ulcers compared with ulcers treated with antibiotic, antifungal and mydriatic medical therapy alone, and to evaluate equine corneal healing after experimentally induced superficial ulceration. Methods: Masked, randomised, controlled experimental trial. Methods: Superficial, 8 mm corneal ulcers were created bilaterally in each horse. One...
Clinical Feasibility and Airway Deposition of Nebulized Voriconazole in Healthy Horses. Voriconazole (VRC) is a potential treatment for pneumomycosis in horses. The objectives of this study were to determine if the delivery of Vfend using a Flexineb nebulizer produced clinically significant [VRC] in lower airways. The hypothesis was that [VRC] after delivery by nebulization would be greater in the pulmonary epithelial lining fluid than plasma. A secondary objective was to determine [VRC] in upper airways through the collection of nasopharyngeal wash (NPW) samples. Voriconazole solution [Vfend-6.25 mg/mL, 100 (n = 2), 200 (n = 3), 500 (n = 1) mg] was nebulized once in 6 health...
Sustained-release voriconazole-thermogel for subconjunctival injection in horses: ocular toxicity and in-vivo studies. Keratomycosis is a relatively common, sight threatening condition in horses, where treatment is often prolonged and costly. Subconjunctival (SCo) injections offer less resistance to drug diffusion than the topical route, resulting in better penetration to the ocular anterior segment. Voriconazole, a second generation triazole antifungal, is effective against common fungal organisms causing keratomycosis. If combined with a thermogel biomaterial, voriconazole can be easily injected in the SCo space to provide sustained drug release. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the drug concentrati...
The occurrence of hemotropic Mycoplasma ovis-like species in horses. Hemotropic mycoplasmas (haemoplasmas) are wall-less bacteria, which may lead to anemia and, even, mortality in mammals. The present study was aimed to characterize the causative agent(s) of haemoplasma infection in blood samples taken from horses (n = 133) in south of Iran. Microscopic examination of blood smears and PCR assay were performed for the detection of hemotropic Mycoplasma and equine piroplasma (Babesia caballi and Theileria equi). For the purpose of molecular characterization, 16S rDNA and 18S rDNA markers were used for hemotropic Mycoplasma and piroplasma pathogens, respective...
Fungal Placentitis Caused by Aspergillus terreus in a Mare: Case Report. Placentitis has been reported as the most important cause of equine abortions, stillbirths, and perinatal deaths in horses. Most cases are caused by bacteria and less commonly by fungal elements. The aim of this report is to describe the clinical presentation of a fungal placentitis caused by Aspergillus terrerus. A 5-year-old thoroughbred maiden mare at the 217th day of gestation presented with some classic signs of placentitis (premature udder development and milk dripping). All ultrasonographic findings were consistent with a live fetus and a severe placentitis. On vaginal examination, pur...
Multi-locus DNA sequence analysis, antifungal agent susceptibility, and fungal keratitis outcome in horses from Southeastern United States. Morphological characterization and multi-locus DNA sequence analysis of fungal isolates obtained from 32 clinical cases of equine fungal keratitis (FK) was performed to identify species and determine associations with antifungal susceptibility, response to therapy and clinical outcome. Two species of Aspergillus (A. flavus and A. fumigatus) and three species of Fusarium (F. falciforme, F. keratoplasticum, and F. proliferatum) were the most common fungi isolated and identified from FK horses. Most (91%) equine FK Fusarium nested within the Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC) with nine geneti...
Therapy of Non-Dermatophytic Mycoses in Animals. This review focuses on aspects of antimycotic therapy specific to veterinary medicine. In the first part, drug availability, limited mostly by economic consideration but also by clinical applicability and specific adverse effects, is described for polyenes, 5 fluorocytosine, azoles, echinocandins and terbinafine. In the second part, current knowledge and experience in the treatment of selected fungal infections are overviewed. These mycoses include disseminated mold infections in small animals (dogs and cats) and avian species, upper respiratory tract infections of small animals (sino-nasal an...
Identification of bacteria and fungi sampled from the conjunctival surface of normal horses in South-East Queensland, Australia. To identify bacteria and fungi found on the conjunctival surface of normal horse eyes; to investigate potential risk factors for these microflora; and to determine their susceptibility to common topical ophthalmic antimicrobials. Methods: A total of 95 client-owned horses were studied. Methods: Horses within sub-tropical Australia (South-East Queensland) were sampled once between April 2012 and March 2013. A conjunctival swab was taken from each eye and cultured for aerobic bacteria and fungi. Organisms were identified by colony morphology and phenotype. Antimicrobial disk diffusion susceptibi...
Reversible dysphagia secondary to guttural pouch mycosis in a gelding treated medically with voriconazole and surgically with carotid occlusion and esophagostomy. A gelding was diagnosed with dysphagia and left guttural pouch mycosis. Treatments included topical antifungal drugs, systemic voriconazole, and balloon occlusion of the internal carotid artery. Ongoing dysphagia of neurological origin necessitated extra-oral feeding through an esophagostomy tube. Complementary case management included acupuncture. Clinical remission occurred over 10 weeks. Dysphagie réversible secondaire à une mycose de la poche gutturale chez un hongre traité médicalement avec du voriconazole et chirurgicalement par l’occlusion de la carotide et l’œsophagostomie. Un...
Development of a Sustained-Release Voriconazole-Containing Thermogel for Subconjunctival Injection in Horses. To determine in vitro release profiles, transcorneal permeation, and ocular injection characteristics of a voriconazole-containing thermogel suitable for injection into the subconjunctival space (SCS). In vitro release rate of voriconazole (0.3% and 1.5%) from poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide-b-ethylene glycol-b-DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA-PEG-PLGA) thermogel was determined for 28 days. A Franz cell diffusion chamber was used to evaluate equine transcorneal and transscleral permeation of voriconazole (1.5% topical solution, 0.3% and 1.5% voriconazole-thermogel) for 24 hours. Antifungal activit...
Biofilms of Candida spp. from the ocular conjunctiva of horses with reduced azole susceptibility: a complicating factor for the treatment of keratomycosis? This study aimed to assess the biofilm-forming ability of Candida spp. from the ocular conjunctiva of horses and to investigate the antifungal susceptibility of these biofilms. Methods: Initially, the biofilm-forming ability of 15 strains was assessed by crystal violet staining, which reveals the fungal biomass adhered to the polystyrene plates, and scanning electron microscopy. Then, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole, and caspofungin were initially determined against strains in planktonic form. Afterward, antifungal susceptibility of mat...
Trends in antifungal susceptibility and virulence of Candida spp. from the nasolacrimal duct of horses. This was a cross-sectional study to investigate the antifungal susceptibility and production of virulence factors in strains of Candida isolated from the outlet and the lumen of the nasolacrimal duct of horses in the state of Ceará, Brazil. The samples were obtained from 103 horses. Sterile cotton swabs were used to collect the material from the outlet of the nasolacrimal duct and urethral probes, for the instillation of 2 ml of saline solution, were used to collect samples from the lumen of the nasolacrimal duct. A total of 77 Candida isolates were obtained, with C. famata, C. tropicalis, C....
Suspected poisoning of domestic animals by pesticides. A retrospective study was carried out by reviewing all suspected cases of domestic animal poisoning attributed to pesticides, reported to the Milan Poison Control Centre (MPCC) between January 2011 and December 2013. During this period, pesticides were found to be responsible for 37.3% of all suspected poisoning enquiries received (815). The most commonly species involved was the dog (71.1% of calls) followed by the cat (15.8%), while a limited number of cases involved horses, goats and sheep. Most cases of exposure (47.1%) resulted in mild to moderate clinical signs. The outcome was reported ...
Update on disorders and treatment of the guttural pouch. The most common disorders of the equine guttural pouches are empyema, tympany, mycosis, and temporohyoid osteoarthropathy. Diagnosis of these conditions is made primarily by imaging with endoscopy, radiographs, computed tomography, and/or MRI. Medical treatment with anti-inflammatories, antimicrobials, and/or antifungals may be successful in some cases, but many of these disorders necessitate surgical intervention. Direct surgical approaches to the guttural pouch are difficult because of their complex anatomy and relationship with important structures, thus precipitating a move toward minimall...
Update on fungal respiratory disease in horses. Fungal respiratory disease is a rare occurrence in horses. Fungal organisms are ubiquitous in the equine environment; however, there is a geographic predisposition for disease development, with fungal respiratory infections seen more commonly by practitioners working in tropical or subtropical environments. Diagnosis and treatment of fungal respiratory infections pose a challenge for the equine practitioner, and the prognosis for complete resolution of infection is often guarded; however, new antifungal medications are likely to improve treatment success. This article summarizes the available ...
Controlled nail delivery of a novel lipophilic antifungal agent using various modern drug carrier systems as well as in vitro and ex vivo model systems. The penetration behavior into human nails and animal hoof membranes of a novel antifungal agent (EV-086K) for the treatment of onychomycosis was investigated in this study. The new drug provides a high lipophilicity which is adverse for penetration into nails. Therefore, four different formulations were developed, with particular focus on a colloidal carrier system (CCS) due to its penetration enhancing properties. On the one hand, ex vivo penetration experiments on human nails were performed. Afterwards the human nail plates were cut by cryomicrotome in order to quantify the drug concentratio...
Evaluation of the conjunctival fungal flora and its susceptibility to antifungal agents in healthy horses in Switzerland. To characterize the conjunctival fungal flora and to determine the susceptibility of 2 isolated molds to antifungal drugs in samples of 64 healthy horses from The National Stud in Switzerland. Methods: Conjunctival cytobrush samples were collected from both eyes of 64 ophthalmologically normal horses in August 2012 and subsequently cultured on Sabouraud's agar medium. Growing fungi were identified and counted. Etests or broth microdilution tests for Aspergillus fumigatus and Eurotium amstelodami were carried out to determine antifungal drug sensitivity. These species had previously been detect...
Dysphagia caused by focal guttural pouch mycosis: mononeuropathy of the pharyngeal ramus of the vagal nerve in a 20-year-old pony mare. A 20-year-old pony mare was presented to the equine hospital with a ten-day history of dysphagia, regurgitation and coughing. An obstruction of the oesophagus was excluded via endoscopy, but the proximal oesophagus appeared to be distended and circular contractions were missing. A guttural pouch endoscopy revealed a single, black-mottled plaque on the pharyngeal ramus of the vagus nerve in the left guttural pouch, causing a local swelling of this nerve. The pharyngeal ramus seemed to be atrophic distal to the lesion. A biopsy was taken from the lesion and histopathological findings proved the ...
Equine keratomycosis in Japan. To describe the incidence, clinical progress, visual outcome, and laboratory findings of equine keratomycosis in Japan. Methods: Retrospective study of the medical records of horses clinically and mycologically diagnosed with keratomycosis at the Equine Hospitals of the Japan Racing Association from 2005 to 2011. Results: The diagnosis of keratomycosis was confirmed in eight horses (40.0% of the 20 horses with infectious keratitis from which fungi and/or bacteria were isolated). Fungi recovered from corneal swabs were identified as Aspergillus flavus (4), Aspergillus niger (1), Fusarium sol...
Subconjunctival mycetoma caused by Scedosporium apiospermum infection in a horse. An 11-year-old American Saddlebred gelding was presented for evaluation of a nonpainful subconjunctival mass involving the lateral canthus of the left eye. Other findings included a central corneal scar and a small central cataract of the lens in the left eye. Fine-needle aspiration of the mass was performed and cytologic examination revealed marked pyogranulomatous inflammation with intralesional fungal hyphae, consistent with mycetoma. The fungal structures were elongated and characterized by nonstaining walls; several bulbous yeast-like structures were also observed. The mycetoma was surgic...
Effects of antifungal drugs and delivery vehicles on morphology and proliferation of equine corneal keratocytes in vitro. To evaluate the effects of topical antifungal drugs and delivery vehicles on the morphology and proliferation rate of cultured equine keratocytes. Methods: 16 corneas obtained from 8 apparently ophthalmologically normal horses < 0.5 hours after euthanasia for reasons unrelated to the study. Methods: Primary cultures of equine keratocytes were obtained from corneal stroma and were exposed to several concentrations of 3 commonly used, topically applied antifungals: natamycin, itraconazole, and miconazole. In addition, effects of drug delivery vehicles DMSO, benzalkonium chloride, and carboxym...
Pythium insidiosum: an overview. Pythium insidiosum is an oomycete pathogenic in mammals. The infection occurs mainly in tropical and subtropical areas, particularly in horses, dogs and humans. Infection is acquired through small wounds via contact with water that contains motile zoospores or other propagules (zoospores or hyphae). The disease, though described as emerging has in fact already been described since 1884. Depending on the site of entry, infection can lead to different forms of pythiosis i.e. a cutaneous, vascular, ocular, gastrointestinal and a systemic form, which is rarely seen. The infection is not contagious...