Equine sarcoidosis: clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of 22 cases.

This study describes the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment outcomes of 22 horses diagnosed with equine sarcoidosis, a disease characterized by inflammation and skin conditions. The research gathers insights on the different forms of this disease, the effects of different treatment strategies and strengthens the understanding of equine sarcoidosis in the context of dermatitis of unknown origin in horses.

Research Methodology

• This study was conducted using 22 horses of various breeds aged between 3 and 17 years. They were all diagnosed with equine sarcoidosis, identified through both clinical signs and histopathological findings.
• The study identified three forms of equine sarcoidosis: generalized, partially generalized, and localized, which accounted for 13.6%, 18.2%, and 68.2% of the cases, respectively.
• Initial treatment for all forms involved high-dose systemic corticosteroids, transitioning to lower doses over several weeks. No local treatments were utilized.

Findings and Outcomes

• The outcomes of the cases varied significantly: Among the generalized cases, one horse was euthanized immediately, and the remaining two after 2-3 months due to unsuccessful treatment.
• All four cases of partially generalized sarcoidosis showed deterioration despite treatment and were euthanized after duration between 3.5 to 12 months.
• Two horses diagnosed with localized sarcoidosis showed no or insufficient response to treatment and were euthanized, while four horses fully recovered, and one had a partial recovery even without treatment.
• Eight cases showed improvement with prednisolone treatment, but continuous low doses were required to maintain the remission.

Conclusion

• The researchers concluded that distinguishing between different forms of sarcoidosis based on history, clinical appearance, and histopathology could guide the choice between treatment and euthanasia, preventing unnecessary local treatment.
• The findings suggest that equine sarcoidosis should be considered as a possible cause when diagnosing localized exfoliative dermatitis of unknown origin in horses.