Equine keratomycosis in Switzerland: a retrospective evaluation of 35 horses (January 2000-August 2011).

This research study retrospectively analyses the clinical data of 35 horses in Switzerland diagnosed with keratomycosis, a severe eye infection caused by fungi, between 2000 and 2011. The aim was to understand the varying presentation of the disease, the effectiveness of different treatment methods, and any contributing factors to the outcomes.

Study Design and Methods

• The research is a retrospective study where the researchers reviewed medical records of horses diagnosed with keratomycosis over a period of 11 years from 2000 to 2011 within the Vetsuisse Faculty of Switzerland.
• Case histories were evaluated including factors like the season when the disease was diagnosed, previous treatments, clinical appearance, whether the horse received surgical or medical treatment, duration of the treatment, and survival rate of the affected eye (globe survival).

Findings of the Study

• Out of 36 eyes diagnosed with keratomycosis, 86.1% presented with ulcerative keratitis, a condition characterized by corneal ulcers. Other presentations included corneal infiltration, punctate keratitis, and fungal plaque.
• Aspergillus, a type of fungus, was identified in two out of six fungal culture tests.
• Most of the affected eyes were treated with a combination of medical and surgical intervention, while a few received only medical treatment. For three horses, the globe was removed when they first presented with the disease.
• Researchers found that factors like the horse’s sex, age, prior treatment with antimicrobials or steroids, or the type of surgical approach used, did not significantly influence disease outcomes.
• Approximately 64% of the eyes were at least partially able to see after the treatment, 30.5% were removed through a procedure called enucleation, and two horses (representing 5.6% of the cases) were euthanized.
• When comparing different treatment protocols in the group that was diagnosed with ulcerative keratitis, researchers found that the choice of antifungal drugs (either voriconazole or a combination of voriconazole and fluconazole versus other combinations) did not significantly impact disease outcomes.

Conclusions and Future Recommendations

• Researchers concluded that there were no significant differences in disease outcomes based on the type of treatment methods (medical treatment protocols or types of surgical approach) used.
• Future studies in central Europe should focus on identifying the specific fungal pathogens causing keratomycosis, their susceptibility patterns, and on assessing the efficacy of different antifungal therapies.