Cutaneous habronemosis in horses: First molecular characterization of Habronema muscae in Israel.

The research uncovers the presence, for the first time in Israel, of Habronema muscae, a nematode parasite causing cutaneous habronemosis, a parasitic disease in horses leading to skin and eye inflammation, commonly identified by ulcerative wounds and notorious “sulphur granules.”

Background

• Cutaneous habronemosis, also known as summer sores, is a severe skin and eye affliction caused by three main parasitic nematodes, namely Draschia megastoma, Habronema microstoma, and Habronema muscae.
• This parasitic disease is principally spread by flies and is typically prevalent in horses and other kinds of equids.

Findings

• The research focused on a specific instance where five horses in Israel presented with characteristic signs of cutaneous habronemosis, particularly ulcerative wounds in strategic places such as the face, forelegs, or hindquarters, with an obvious presence of “sulphur granules.”
• These horses were subjected to confirmatory histopathological and molecular tests, which revealed an infection by H. muscae, thus marking the first-ever formal account of cutaneous habronemosis in Israel.
• This also represents the first case in the country where the causative organism was identified via molecular methods.

Implications and Recommendations

• The authors recommend for cutaneous habronemosis to be viewed as a potential diagnosis for horses showing signs of skin ulcers during summer months.
• This is especially applicable if the affected animals don’t show signs of recovery when administered with antibiotics solely, as it signifies a parasitic source of the affliction rather than a bacterial one.