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Cutaneous and ocular habronemiasis in horses: 63 cases (1988-2002).
Abstract: To describe clinical manifestations of cutaneous and ocular habronemiasis in horses and evaluate outcome of treatment. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 63 horses. Methods: The diagnosis was made on the basis of history, clinical signs, and identification of calcified concretions (sulfur granules) in lesions. Histologic examination of biopsy specimens was used to confirm the diagnosis. Case horses were compared with a control population of 12,720 horses examined during the same period. Results: Arabians, gray horses, and horses with diluted coat colors were overrepresented; Thoroughbreds were underrepresented. Lesions were identified most often during the summer and early fall. The medial canthus of the eye, male genitalia, third eyelid, and distal portions of the extremities were the most commonly affected locations. Twenty-five lesions were biopsied, and results of histologic examination were consistent with a diagnosis of habronemiasis. However, nematode larvae were seen in only 11 (44%) biopsy specimens. Treatment consisted of surgical removal (7 horses) or medical treatment (56) consisting of debulking granulation tissue and topical, intralesional, or systemic treatment with corticosteroids. All horses were treated with ivermectin. Conclusions: Results suggest that cutaneous and ocular habronemiasis should be considered when examining a horse during the summer months with a proliferative, moist, granulomatous lesion. Treatment should be aimed at decreasing the size of the lesion, reducing inflammation, and preventing recurrence. In general, the prognosis was good, and healing occurred within a few weeks. Fly control and regular deworming with ivermectin are recommended to reduce the incidence of habronemiasis.
Publication Date: 2003-04-11 PubMed ID: 12685790DOI: 10.2460/javma.2003.222.978Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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This research paper explores the clinical manifestations of skin and eye habronemiasis in horses, including the outcomes of different treatments. The study draws on evidence from 63 diagnosed cases, evaluated against a larger control population. It highlights factors such as breed, coat colour, and seasonality influencing the clinical condition, and provides insight into the most effective treatments.
Research Methodology
- The retrospective study was conducted with a sample size of 63 horses diagnosed with cutaneous and ocular habronemiasis.
- The diagnosis was confirmed through an analysis of the horses’ history, clinical signs and the identification of calcified concretions (also known as sulfur granules) in the lesions.
- The diagnoses further corroborated by histologic examination of biopsy specimens.
- The study also maintained a control population of 12,720 horses which were examined over the same period.
Key Findings
- Arabians, gray horses, and horses with diluted coat colors were more susceptible to the disease while Thoroughbreds were found less likely to contract it.
- The disease was more prevalent during the summer and early fall.
- The most frequently affected areas were the medial canthus (corner of the eye), male genitalia, third eyelid, and distal extremities (lower parts) of the horse.
- Out of 25 lesions biopsied, habronemiasis was the confirmed diagnosis from the histologic examination in all cases, but nematode larvae, which cause the disease, were only found in 11 (44%) of the biopsy specimens.
Treatment And Outcomes
- The primary treatment methods included surgical removal of the inflammation (in 7 horses), or medical treatment, which was followed in 56 cases. The medical treatment involved debulking granulation tissue and regional, local, or systemic application of corticosteroids.
- All horses were treated with the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin.
- The prognosis for affected horses was generally good, with healing typically observed within weeks.
- To prevent habronemiasis, the study recommends regular deworming with ivermectin and thorough fly control measures.
Cite This Article
APA
Pusterla N, Watson JL, Wilson WD, Affolter VK, Spier SJ.
(2003).
Cutaneous and ocular habronemiasis in horses: 63 cases (1988-2002).
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 222(7), 978-982.
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.2003.222.978 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Age Distribution
- Animals
- Antinematodal Agents / therapeutic use
- California / epidemiology
- Eye / parasitology
- Eye / pathology
- Eye Infections, Parasitic / epidemiology
- Eye Infections, Parasitic / pathology
- Eye Infections, Parasitic / veterinary
- Female
- Hair Color
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / parasitology
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Ivermectin / therapeutic use
- Male
- Prognosis
- Retrospective Studies
- Seasons
- Skin Diseases, Parasitic / epidemiology
- Skin Diseases, Parasitic / pathology
- Skin Diseases, Parasitic / veterinary
- Spirurida Infections / epidemiology
- Spirurida Infections / pathology
- Spirurida Infections / veterinary
- Treatment Outcome
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Frisch V, Fuehrer HP, Cavalleri JV. Relevant Brachycera (Excluding Oestroidea) for Horses in Veterinary Medicine: A Systematic Review. Pathogens 2023 Apr 6;12(4).
- Pillai VV, Mudd LJ, Sola MF. Disseminated Halicephalobus gingivalis infection in a horse. J Vet Diagn Invest 2023 Mar;35(2):173-177.
- Palozzo A, Traversa D, Marruchella G, Celani G, Morelli S, Petrizzi L. Summer Sores Secondary to a Hoof Crack in an Andalusian Stallion. Pathogens 2021 Aug 16;10(8).
- Barlaam A, Traversa D, Papini R, Giangaspero A. Habronematidosis in Equids: Current Status, Advances, Future Challenges. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:358.
- Amininajafi F, Mehrara MR, Hosseini A, Fattahi R, Taghizadeh M, Hasanzadeh S. Histopathological features of cutaneous and gastric habronemiasis in horse. J Parasit Dis 2016 Sep;40(3):945-947.
- Sharkey LC, Seelig DM, Overmann J. All lesions great and small, part 2. Diagnostic cytology in veterinary medicine. Diagn Cytopathol 2014 Jun;42(6):544-52.
- Schaffer PA, Wobeser B, Dennis MM, Duncan CG. Non-neoplastic lesions of equine skin in the central United States and Canada: a retrospective study. Can Vet J 2013 Mar;54(3):262-6.
- Américo L, Aquino LPCT, Moura AB, Ribeiro GSN, Fonteque JH, Chryssafidis AL. Cutaneous and conjunctival habronemosis in horses treated at the Veterinary Hospital of the Santa Catarina State University, Brazil. Rev Bras Parasitol Vet 2024;33(3):e004224.
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