Fungal diseases of horses.

This article focuses on the various types of fungal diseases in horses, namely dermatophytosis, cryptococcosis, and aspergillosis, which are common worldwide and can also affect humans. Other less common or geographically limited subcutaneous and deep fungal infections are also examined, with a discussion on the importance of early diagnosis and establishing effective therapeutic strategies.

Fungal Diseases in Horses

• The article discusses common forms of fungal diseases or mycoses often found in horses. These include dermatophytosis, cryptococcosis, and aspergillosis. These diseases are well-known and found across the world. Of significant concern is their ability to transfer to humans (zoonotic potential).
• Other less common mycoses such as subcutaneous mycoses (like pythiosis and mycetoma) or deep mycoses (blastomycosis and coccidioidomycosis) are also mentioned. These diseases are usually less common and may be restricted to specific geographic locations.

Clinical Signs and Diagnostic Challenges

• Notwithstanding their type, these fungal diseases often cause chronic and progressive problems. The typical clinical symptoms include the formation of extensive, painful lesions which are not pathognomonic — meaning they aren’t unique to these diseases and can be mistaken for other microbial infections, thereby making diagnosis challenging.
• The authors stress the importance of early diagnosis, as it is crucial for making a prognosis and controlling disease progression.

Effective Therapeutic Strategies

• Knowledge of the epidemiology, clinical symptoms and how to diagnose these diseases is emphasized as essential. This is because such understanding allows for effective strategies to be developed for treating the diseases.
• The article also aims to provide a review of the clinical manifestations, diagnostic approaches and therapeutic protocols related to horse fungal infections. This review is intended to support the early diagnosis and implementation of targeted therapeutic strategies.