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Home / Equine Research Bank / Microorganisms / Gastric Candidiasis in Five Horses: A Case Series.
Microorganisms2025; 13(8); 1746; doi: 10.3390/microorganisms13081746

Gastric Candidiasis in Five Horses: A Case Series.

Abstract: spp. are ubiquitous yeasts that are part of most mammals' microbiota and can become opportunistic pathogens under predisposing conditions. Interestingly, recent studies in human medicine report an increased abundance of spp. in association with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Gastrointestinal candidiasis has been primarily reported in neonatal foals, but not in adult horses. The aim of this study is to describe the morphological, histopathological, and microbiological features of gastric lesions associated with infiltration in five horses referred to two tertiary hospitals for different reasons. Clinical features, findings from gastroscopy, gastric, and duodenal biopsies, as well as fungal and bacterial cultures obtained from gastric lesions will be reported. Macroscopically, gastric lesions showed a characteristic yellow/white pseudo-membranous appearance, similar to lesions reported in foals. The presence of spp. was confirmed by positive culture and/or histopathological evidence of fungal infiltration on the gastric epithelium. Three out of five horses showed histopathological changes in duodenal biopsies, potentially suggesting IBD. These results demonstrate that gastric candidiasis can occur in adult horses. Further research is needed to elucidate the pathogenesis, predisposing factors, and clinical relevance of spp. infections in the equine stomach, as well as their potential impact on gastrointestinal health and overall performance.
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Publication Date: 2025-07-25 PubMed ID: 40871249PubMed Central: PMC12388606DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms13081746Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Overview

  • This study investigates cases of gastric candidiasis—fungal infection caused by Candida species—in five adult horses, examining clinical, morphological, histopathological, and microbiological characteristics of the infection.
  • The research highlights that while gastrointestinal candidiasis is known in neonatal foals, it can also occur in adult horses, with potential links to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-like changes in the duodenum.

Background

  • Candida spp. are yeast organisms commonly found as part of the normal microbiota in mammals.
  • These yeasts are usually harmless but can become opportunistic pathogens—infecting tissues—under certain predisposing conditions such as immune suppression or other diseases.
  • In humans, increased Candida abundance is associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), suggesting a possible pathogenic or contributory role of the fungi in gastrointestinal inflammation.
  • In horses, gastrointestinal candidiasis has mostly been reported in neonatal foals but rarely documented in adult animals until now.

Aim and Scope of the Study

  • The study aims to describe detailed clinical and pathological findings in five adult horses that presented with gastric lesions colonized or infiltrated by Candida spp.
  • It focuses on:
    • Gross appearance of gastric lesions on gastroscopy
    • Histopathological examination of gastric and duodenal biopsy samples
    • Microbiological cultures to confirm fungal presence
    • Assessment of associated clinical symptoms and potential links to gastrointestinal diseases like IBD

Methods

  • Five adult horses referred to two specialized veterinary hospitals for different clinical issues were investigated.
  • Gastroscopy was performed to visualize gastric mucosal lesions.
  • Biopsies from the stomach and duodenum were collected for histopathological analysis.
  • Fungal cultures and bacterial cultures were obtained from these lesions to identify infectious agents, focusing on Candida species.

Key Findings

  • Macroscopic Appearance: The gastric lesions appeared as yellow or white pseudo-membranous plaques, a lesion morphology similar to that observed in neonatal foals with candidiasis.
  • Fungal Confirmation: Candida spp. presence was confirmed via positive fungal cultures and/or histopathological evidence, demonstrating fungal infiltration in the gastric epithelium.
  • Duodenal Changes: 3 out of 5 horses showed histopathological alterations in duodenal biopsies, changes that might suggest an inflammatory process similar to IBD in humans.
  • Adult Occurrence: This study provides evidence that gastric candidiasis, previously considered a neonatal issue, can affect adult horses.

Implications and Future Directions

  • The findings suggest that Candida infections might contribute to or exacerbate gastric lesions and possible intestinal inflammation in adult horses.
  • There may be a link between fungal colonization/infection and inflammatory conditions of the gut (similar to IBD), although further research is needed to understand causation and mechanisms.
  • Investigating predisposing factors—such as immune status, antibiotic usage, or other gastrointestinal diseases—is important to understand susceptibility.
  • Understanding the clinical relevance will help veterinarians better diagnose and manage gastric candidiasis in adult horses, possibly improving gastrointestinal health and equine performance.

Cite This Article

APA
Neira-Egea P, Alamar Malvoisin C, de la Cuesta-Torrado M, Bautista-Erler C, Vitale V, Jolly S, Cesarini C. (2025). Gastric Candidiasis in Five Horses: A Case Series. Microorganisms, 13(8), 1746. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13081746

Publication

Microorganisms
ISSN: 2076-2607
NlmUniqueID: 101625893
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 8
PII: 1746

Researcher Affiliations

Neira-Egea, Patricia
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Cardenal Herrera-CEU University, CEU Universities, 46115 Alfara del Patriarca, Spain.
Alamar Malvoisin, Clara
  • Equine Clinical Department & Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Bât. B41, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
de la Cuesta-Torrado, María
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Cardenal Herrera-CEU University, CEU Universities, 46115 Alfara del Patriarca, Spain.
Bautista-Erler, Claudia
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Cardenal Herrera-CEU University, CEU Universities, 46115 Alfara del Patriarca, Spain.
Vitale, Valentina
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Cardenal Herrera-CEU University, CEU Universities, 46115 Alfara del Patriarca, Spain.
Jolly, Sandra
  • Laboratoire D'anatomopathologie (Histopathologie et Cytologie), Business Village Ecolys, Avenue d'Ecolys 2, Boite 42, Suite 210, 5020 Suarlée, Belgium.
Cesarini, Carla
  • Equine Clinical Department & Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Bât. B41, 4000 Liège, Belgium.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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