Equine sarcoidosis: clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of 22 cases.
Abstract: Equine sarcoidosis may present as a generalized or localized exfoliative dermatitis and/or as a granulomatous inflammation of multiple organs. Objective: To report the clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment and outcome for 22 horses with histologically confirmed sarcoidosis. Methods: Twenty-two horses of different breeds, between 3 and 17 years of age. Methods: Diagnosis was based on clinical signs and histopathological findings. Results: The following three forms of equine sarcoidosis were identified: generalized (13.6%), partially generalized (18.2%) and localized (68.2%). High-dose systemic corticosteroids were used as the initial treatment in all three forms, followed by lower doses for a variable number of weeks. No local treatment was prescribed. Case outcome was variable; one of three cases of generalized sarcoidosis was euthanized immediately and the remaining two were euthanized after 2-3 months of unsuccessful treatment; all four cases of partially generalized sarcoidosis deteriorated despite treatment and were euthanized after 3.5-12 months; two cases with localized disease showed no response or insufficient response to treatment and were euthanized; four cases recovered fully with or without treatment, and one showed partial recovery without treatment; and eight cases improved whilst receiving prednisolone but required continuous low doses to maintain remission. Conclusions: Recognition of the different forms of sarcoidosis based on history, clinical appearance and histopathology assisted in making an informed choice between treatment and euthanasia and prevented unnecessary local treatment. Equine sarcoidosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of a localized exfoliative dermatitis of unknown origin.
© 2013 The Authors. Veterinary Dermatology © 2013 ESVD and ACVD.
Publication Date: 2013-01-22 PubMed ID: 23331701DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3164.2012.01108.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Case Reports
- Clinical Examination
- Clinical Findings
- Clinical Pathology
- Clinical Signs
- Corticosteroids
- Diagnosis
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Management
- Disease Treatment
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Euthanasia
- Histopathology
- Horses
- Sarcoids
- Treatment
- Veterinary Care
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Practice
- Veterinary Research
Summary
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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.
Cite This Article
APA
Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM, Grinwis GC.
(2013).
Equine sarcoidosis: clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of 22 cases.
Vet Dermatol, 24(1), 218-24.e48.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3164.2012.01108.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Equine Sciences Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 114, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands. m.sloet@uu.nl
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
- Dexamethasone / administration & dosage
- Dexamethasone / therapeutic use
- Female
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Male
- Prednisolone / administration & dosage
- Prednisolone / therapeutic use
- Sarcoidosis / pathology
- Sarcoidosis / veterinary
- Skin Diseases / pathology
- Skin Diseases / veterinary
- Treatment Outcome
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Linkova N, Diatlova A, Zinchenko Y, Kornilova A, Snetkov P, Morozkina S, Medvedev D, Krasichkov A, Polyakova V, Yablonskiy P. Pulmonary Sarcoidosis: Experimental Models and Perspectives of Molecular Diagnostics Using Quantum Dots. Int J Mol Sci 2023 Jul 10;24(14).
- Ueberham L, Hagendorff A, Klingel K, Paetsch I, Jahnke C, Kluge T, Ebbinghaus H, Hindricks G, Laufs U, Dinov B. Pathophysiological Gaps, Diagnostic Challenges, and Uncertainties in Cardiac Sarcoidosis. J Am Heart Assoc 2023 Mar 21;12(6):e027971.
- Ceccato J, Gualtiero G, Piazza M, Carraro S, Buso H, Felice C, Rattazzi M, Scarpa R, Vianello F, Cinetto F. Shaping Rare Granulomatous Diseases in the Lab: How New Models Are Changing the Game. Cells 2025 Feb 16;14(4).
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