Cutaneous habronemiasis in horses and domestic donkeys (Equus asinus asinus).
Abstract: Cutaneous habronemiasis in 15 horses and 5 donkeys is described. The lesions were distributed in many parts of the body involving the medial canthus, shoulder and pectoral regions, knee and fetlock joints, abdominal wall and prepuce. Some animals had more than one lesion. The lesions were ulcerative and filled with soft light red granulation tissue. When curretted, the deeper layers revealed a dense fibrous tissue with calcified foci. Close examination of the lesions showed that the superficial layer of this dense fibrous tissue contained small caseated and necrotic foci. The same features prevailed in lesions involving the muscular areas, but the deeper layers consisted of a dense granuloma with no evidence of cicatrization. Curretted material digested in potassium hydroxide revealed fragments of larvae of the nematode suggestive of Draschia or Habronema. The histopathological changes were severe and comprised: necrotic foci in a dense fibrous stroma infiltrated with eosinophils, macrophages and few giant cells. Sections of the larvae surrounded by eosinophils were encountered in lesions of the muscular areas. Curretting and excision of the lesion were effective and produced complete healing of the wound by scar tissue formation.
Publication Date: 1990-01-01 PubMed ID: 2145616
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article discusses a study on cutaneous habronemiasis, a parasitic skin disease, in 15 horses and 5 donkeys, detailing the various locations, appearance, and treatment of the lesions, as well as histopathological findings.
Study Overview
- The researchers examined instances of cutaneous habronemiasis, a skin condition caused by the larvae of Draschia or Habronema nematodes, in 15 horses and 5 donkeys.
- The aim of the study was to describe the presentation and progression of the disease, as well as its response to treatment methods.
Lesion Characteristics and Distribution
- The lesions from the disease were found all over the animals’ bodies, including the medial canthus (a section of the eye), shoulder and pectoral regions, knee and fetlock joints (ankles), abdominal wall, and prepuce (the skin sheath for the genitals).
- The lesions observed were ulcerative and filled with soft, light red granulation tissue (new connective tissue and microscopic blood vessels that form during the healing process).
- Upon being scraped (curretted), the deeper layers of the lesions showed dense fibrous tissue with calcified foci (areas of hardened tissue).
- Within these dense fibrous layers, small caseated (cheese-like) and necrotic (dead) foci were found.
Lesions in Muscular Areas
- When present in the muscular areas, the lesions maintained these characteristics, but the deeper layers had a dense granuloma (inflamed tissue) with no evidence of scarring (cicatrization).
Microscopic Evidence of Nematodes
- When the curretted material from the lesions was dissolved in potassium hydroxide, it revealed fragments of nematode larvae, suggesting an infection by Draschia or Habronema.
Histopathological Changes
- Severe histopathological changes were seen, including dead tissue in the fibrous area infiltrated with eosinophils (cells that fight certain infections), macrophages (a type of white blood cell), and a few large cells.
- Larvae surrounded by eosinophils were found in the muscle area lesions.
Treatment and Healing
- Methods of currettage (scraping) and excision (cutting out) of the lesion were found to be effective, leading to complete healing of the wound by creating scar tissue.
Cite This Article
APA
Mohamed FH, Abu Samra MT, Ibrahim KE, Idris SO.
(1990).
Cutaneous habronemiasis in horses and domestic donkeys (Equus asinus asinus).
Rev Elev Med Vet Pays Trop, 42(4), 535-540.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Khartoum, Sudan.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horses
- Perissodactyla
- Skin Diseases / veterinary
- Spirurida Infections / parasitology
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Naem S. The comparative morphology of three equine habronematid nematodes: SEM observations. Parasitol Res 2007 Oct;101(5):1303-10.
- Naem S. First SEM observations on adult Habronema microstoma (Spirurida: Habronematidae), a parasite of the horse. Parasitol Res 2007 Aug;101(3):743-9.
- Naem S. Equine stomach worm, Drashia megastoma (Spirurida: Habronematidae): first SEM report. Parasitol Res 2007 Sep;101(4):913-8.
- Naem S. First description of the horse stomach worm, Habronema muscae (Spirurida: Habronematidae) by scanning electron microscopy. Parasitol Res 2007 Jul;101(2):427-32.
- Mattioli RC, Zinsstag J, Pfister K. Frequency of trypanosomosis and gastrointestinal parasites in draught donkeys in The Gambia in relation to animal husbandry. Trop Anim Health Prod 1994 May;26(2):102-8.
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