Equine ulcerative keratomycosis: visual outcome and ocular survival in 39 cases (1987-1996).
Abstract: The medical records of 39 horses treated for ulcerative keratomycosis over a 10 year period were reviewed. Records were evaluated to determine the medical and/or surgical treatment protocol, visual outcome, globe survival and whether the outcome was influenced by the fungal species isolated. Stromal abscesses and iris prolapses caused by fungi were not included. Twenty of the horses underwent medical treatment only, and 19 horses had combined medical and surgical treatment. Most horses had been treated with topical antibiotics (n = 32) and atropine sulphate (n = 23) prior to referral; topical antifungals had been employed less frequently (n = 14). Fungi were identified by cytology (n = 31), culture (n = 33) and/or surgical histopathology (n = 6). Aspergillus (n = 13) and Fusarium (n = 10) were the most commonly isolated fungi. Miconazole (n = 35) was the most common topical antifungal medication utilised. Median duration of treatment was 48 days (range 31-192 days). Associated bacterial infection (n = 13) was frequently encountered. Visual outcome was favourable in 36/39 (92.3%) eyes. All eyes (20/20) retained vision following medical management only, and 16/19 (84%) retained vision following combined medical and surgical therapy. All medically treated horses (20/20), and 17/19 (89%) of those treated medically and surgically retained their globes. Overall ocular survival was favourable in 37/39 (94.9 %) eyes. Aggressive therapy can result in successful results for equine ulcerative keratomycosis.
Publication Date: 1998-04-16 PubMed ID: 9535066DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1998.tb04469.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research paper reviews 39 medical cases of horses treated for ulcerative keratomycosis, a fungal eye infection, over a 10 year period, and investigates the efficacy of different medical and surgical treatments, disparities in visual outcome and survival of the globe, and correlation with the type of fungi causing the infection.
Study Subjects and Methodology
- The study reviewed the medical records of 39 horses treated for ulcerative keratomycosis during a span of 10 years. Cases involving stromal abscesses and iris prolapses caused by fungi were not considered.
- Both medical treatment and the combination of medical and surgical treatment were used on these horses. Out of 39 horses, 20 were treated medically and 19 had both medical and surgical treatments.
- Most of the horses had been treated with topical antibiotics and atropine sulphate before being referred to the study, while topical antifungals had been applied less frequently.
- The fungi causing the infection were identified through cytology, culture, and in some cases, surgical histopathology. Aspergillus and Fusarium were found to be the most common fungi.
Treatment Approaches and Associated Infections
- Miconazole was the most frequently utilized topical antifungal medication amongst the horses.
- The average duration of treatment was around 48 days, with treatment periods extending from 31 to 192 days.
- In addition, associated bacterial infections were found in many cases, which suggested possible complications or comorbidities.
Outcomes and Conclusions
- The visual outcome was generally favorable, with 36 out of 39 horses (or 92.3%) showing positive results. All horses treated with medical only treatment retained vision, and 84% of the horses with both medical and surgical treatments retained vision.
- All the horses treated only medically and 89% of the horses treated both medically and surgically were able to keep their eyes.
- Overall, the survival rate for the eyes of the horses was positive at 94.9%. The results suggest that aggressive therapy can lead to successful outcomes for equine ulcerative keratomycosis.
Cite This Article
APA
Andrew SE, Brooks DE, Smith PJ, Gelatt KN, Chmielewski NT, Whittaker CJ.
(1998).
Equine ulcerative keratomycosis: visual outcome and ocular survival in 39 cases (1987-1996).
Equine Vet J, 30(2), 109-116.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1998.tb04469.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610-0126, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Anti-Infective Agents, Local / therapeutic use
- Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
- Aspergillus / isolation & purification
- Aspergillus / physiology
- Corneal Stroma / cytology
- Corneal Stroma / microbiology
- Corneal Ulcer / microbiology
- Corneal Ulcer / therapy
- Corneal Ulcer / veterinary
- Eye Infections, Fungal / microbiology
- Eye Infections, Fungal / therapy
- Eye Infections, Fungal / veterinary
- Female
- Fusarium / isolation & purification
- Fusarium / physiology
- Histocytochemistry
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Male
- Miconazole / therapeutic use
- Povidone-Iodine / therapeutic use
- Retrospective Studies
- Silver Sulfadiazine / therapeutic use
- Treatment Outcome
- Vision, Ocular / physiology
Citations
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