Candida osteomyelitis in a gelding.
Abstract: A 2-year-old gelding was referred for evaluation of severe right forelimb lameness. The horse was grade 4/5 lame on the right forelimb. Clinical, laboratory, and radiographic findings were consistent with septic arthritis and osteomyelitis. Due to poor prognosis the owner elected euthanasia. Histopathology confirmed chronic arthritis and osteomyelitis with intralesional yeast (Candida species). Ostéomyélite àCandidachez un hongre. Un hongre âgé de 2 ans a été référé pour l’évaluation d’une boiterie grave du membre antérieur droit. Le cheval avait une boiterie de stade 4/5 du membre antérieur droit. Les constatations cliniques ainsi que les résultats de laboratoire et des radiographies étaient conformes à l’arthrite septique et à l’ostéomyélite. En raison d’un pronostic sombre, le propriétaire a choisi l’euthanasie. L’histopathologie a confirmé l’arthrite chronique et l’ostéomyélite avec des levures intralésionnelles (espèce Candida).(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).
Publication Date: 2013-08-02 PubMed ID: 23904643PubMed Central: PMC3552598
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Summary
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The study details the case of a 2-year-old gelding horse suffering from severe lameness in its right forelimb caused by infectious arthritis and Candida osteomyelitis, which led to euthanasia due to the poor prognosis.
Case Overview
- The research revolves around a 2-year-old gelding horse referred for examination due to severe lameness in its right forelimb. The severity of lameness was classified as grade 4/5, which indicated the horse was very lame.
Clinical, Laboratory, and Radiographic Findings
- The researchers used clinical analysis, laboratory testing, and radiography to identify the issues plaguing the horse. The data obtained from these investigations pointed to septic arthritis and osteomyelitis as the cause of the lameness.
- Septic arthritis is a severe joint condition triggered by a bacterial or fungal infection, whereas osteomyelitis is an infection and inflammation of the bone marrow, often caused by bacteria or fungi. In this case, both conditions were attributed to Candida species, a type of yeast.
Outcome and Diagnosis
- The gelding’s severe health conditions and the poor prognosis led the owner to opt for euthanasia, a decision often made when there is minimal or no chance of recovery, coupled with significant suffering.
- Posthumous histopathology tests confirmed the earlier findings of chronic arthritis and osteomyelitis and further revealed the presence of intralesional yeast, substantiating the causative role of Candida species in the stated conditions.
Significance
- This case study underscores the severe implications of fungal infections in equine bone health, particularly highlighting Candida-induced arthritis and osteomyelitis.
- The findings can guide veterinary practitioners in diagnosis and treatment measures for similar conditions in future cases.
Cite This Article
APA
Doyle A, López A, Pack L, Muckle A.
(2013).
Candida osteomyelitis in a gelding.
Can Vet J, 54(2), 176-178.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Ave. Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 4P3.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Arthritis, Infectious / microbiology
- Arthritis, Infectious / pathology
- Arthritis, Infectious / veterinary
- Candidiasis / pathology
- Candidiasis / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Male
- Metacarpal Bones / microbiology
- Metacarpal Bones / pathology
- Osteomyelitis / microbiology
- Osteomyelitis / veterinary
References
This article includes 10 references
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Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- González-Martín M, Silva V, Poeta P, Corbera JA, Tejedor-Junco MT. Microbiological aspects of osteomyelitis in veterinary medicine: drawing parallels to the infection in human medicine. Vet Q 2022 Dec;42(1):1-11.
- Stefanetti V, Marenzoni ML, Lepri E, Coletti M, Casagrande Proietti P, Agnetti F, Crotti S, Pitzurra L, Del Sero A, Passamonti F. A case of Candida guilliermondii abortion in an Arab mare. Med Mycol Case Rep 2014 Apr;4:19-22.
- Neira-Egea P, Alamar Malvoisin C, de la Cuesta-Torrado M, Bautista-Erler C, Vitale V, Jolly S, Cesarini C. Gastric Candidiasis in Five Horses: A Case Series. Microorganisms 2025 Jul 25;13(8).
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