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Veterinary sciences2020; 7(3); 130; doi: 10.3390/vetsci7030130

Epidemiological and Molecular Investigation of Ocular Fungal Infection in Equine from Egypt.

Abstract: Diagnosis and treatment of ocular fungal infection in equine seems very challenging for owners and clinicians. The present study aimed to identify and characterize fungal species isolated from the eyes of clinically healthy and diseased equines (N = 100) from Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt. The work also involved morphological and molecular characterization of the major fungal species. In addition, correlations between the occurrence of isolated fungi and some of the potential risk factors were also investigated. Interestingly, the prevalence rate of ocular mycosis in all examined equines in the study was 28% and there were major clinical signs associated with ocular fungal infection. Moreover, the identified fungal species included , , , spp., spp., and spp. with a corresponding prevalence rate of 63.9%, 27.8%, 15.3%, 18.1%, 13.9%, and 4.2%, respectively, in healthy equine eyes, while their prevalence in diseased equine eyes was 57.1%, 32.1%, 21.4%, 7.1%, 3.6%, and 0%. Furthermore, a statistical significant association ( < 0.05) was found between the frequency of isolation of and and several risk factors (breed, sex, and ground type), while the remaining risk factors and occurrence of fungi were not statistically correlated. A subset of the species samples positive by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were sequenced and their phylogenetic analysis identified three species of . Taken together, our study provides novel data related to the occurrence of ocular mycosis in equine in Egypt. Given the zoonotic potential of some identified fungi, our data may be helpful for implementation of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for combating this sight-threatening infection in equine.
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Publication Date: 2020-09-08 PubMed ID: 32911615PubMed Central: PMC7558555DOI: 10.3390/vetsci7030130Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research investigates the types and prevalence of fungal infections in the eyes of horses in Dakahliah Governorate, Egypt, and their association with various risk factors. The study emphasizes understanding the threats these infections pose and their implications for development of diagnostic and treatment strategies.

Methodology

  • The study involved 100 horses, both healthy and diseased, from Dakahlia Governorate in Egypt.
  • Morphological and molecular characterization of the fungal species were carried out.
  • The researchers also investigated the correlation between the occurrence of isolated fungi and potential risk factors.

Findings

  • The researchers found an overall prevalence rate of ocular mycosis (fungal eye infections) at 28% among the examined horses.
  • The study also identified major clinical signs associated with ocular fungal infections.
  • Various fungal species were identified, with different prevalence rates in healthy and diseased eyes.
  • Moreover, a statistically significant relationship was found between the frequency of two specific fungi and various risk factors, including breed sex, and ground type.

Analysis of Fungal Species

  • Some of the isolated fungi samples were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis and sequencing.
  • Phylogenetic analysis of the sequenced samples allowed the scholars to further identify three species within the Aspergillus genus.

Conclusion and Implications

  • The study provides valuable new information about the occurrence of ocular mycosis in horses in Egypt.
  • Considering the zoonotic potential of some of the identified fungi (meaning they can be transmitted from animals to humans), the findings have important implications for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to fight this sight-threatening infection in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Tahoun A, Elnafarawy HK, Elmahallawy EK, Abdelhady A, Rizk AM, El-Sharkawy H, Youssef MA, El-Khodery S, Ibrahim HMM. (2020). Epidemiological and Molecular Investigation of Ocular Fungal Infection in Equine from Egypt. Vet Sci, 7(3), 130. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci7030130

Publication

Veterinary sciences
ISSN: 2306-7381
NlmUniqueID: 101680127
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 7
Issue: 3
PII: 130

Researcher Affiliations

Tahoun, Amin
  • Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelshkh University, Kafrelsheikh 33511, Egypt.
Elnafarawy, Helmy K
  • Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.
Elmahallawy, Ehab Kotb
  • Department of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag 82524, Egypt.
  • Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leon, s/n, 24071 León, Spain.
Abdelhady, Abdelhamed
  • Parasitology and Animal Diseases Department, National Research center, Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt.
Rizk, Amira M
  • Department of Bacteriology, Mycology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Benha 13518, Egypt.
El-Sharkawy, Hanem
  • Department of Poultry and Rabbit Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh 33511, Egypt.
Youssef, Mohamed A
  • Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.
El-Khodery, Sabry
  • Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.
Ibrahim, Hussam M M
  • Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. de Jong JE, Heuvelink AE, Dieste Pérez L, Holstege MMC. Aspergillus spp., aspergillosis and azole usage in animal species in Europe: Results from a multisectoral survey and review of recent literature. Med Mycol 2025 Jan 25;63(2).
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