Geotrichum candidum as etiological agent of horse dermatomycosis.
Abstract: Fungi of the genus Geotrichum are commonly found in the environment and, in some circumstances, they may cause diseases in humans and animals. Although these fungi have been isolated from skin lesions of some animal species, their pathogenic role in horses remains uncertain. With the aim to investigate the role of Geotrichum candidum as etiological agent of dermatomycoses, a retrospective study of 64 horses presenting skin lesions and suspected to have fungal infections was carried out. For each animal, anamnestic data were recorded and fungal culture were performed using hair. Out of 64 cases, 18 (28.1%) were positive for G. candidum and only two (3.1%) for dermatophytes (i.e., one for Microsporum equinum and the other for Microsporum canis). Alopecia, desquamation, and pruritus localized mainly on head and neck were frequently observed in G. candidum infected animals. Most of G. candidum infections were recorded during spring (44.4%). Out of the 18 animals presenting G. candidum infections, eight were treated using a disinfectant with antifungal properties. After one month of treatment, the clinical lesions were healed and fungal cultures resulted negative. The high prevalence of G. candidum in skin lesions of horses and the clinical recover following antifungal treatment indicated that these yeast-like fungi might play a role as etiological agents of horse cutaneous mycoses.
Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2010-10-23 PubMed ID: 20970928DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2010.09.025Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research investigates the prevalence of a fungus named Geotrichum candidum in causing skin diseases in horses and suggests that this species may contribute to a larger percentage of fungal skin diseases in these animals than previously thought.
Background
- The research is based on the premise that fungi belonging to the genus Geotrichum are frequently present in our environment. While generally harmless, in certain conditions, these fungi can cause diseases in humans and animals.
- Despite previously documented cases of these fungi being found in skin lesions of several animal species, its potential to cause diseases in horses has not been fully investigated.
- To study the role of Geotrichum candidum in causing skin diseases (dermatomycoses) in horses, a retrospective study was conducted.
- Data from 64 horses with skin lesions, suspected to have fungal infections, were collected and analyzed.
- For each animal, anamnestic data (medical history) were recorded, and fungal cultures were created using samples from the horses’ hair.
- Out of the 64 cases, 18 (approximately 28%) tested positive for G. candidum. Only two cases (approximately 3%) tested positive for dermatophytes, another type of fungus commonly implicated in skin diseases.
- Common symptoms in G. candidum-positive horses included hair loss (alopecia), peeling skin (desquamation), and itching (pruritus). These symptoms were commonly localized to the head and neck area.
- The majority of G. candidum infections were diagnosed in spring (approximately 44%).
- Eight out of the 18 animals with G. candidum infections were treated with a disinfectant that has antifungal properties. After a month, the clinical symptoms had resolved and cultures tested negative for the fungus, indicating a successful treatment outcome.
- The high occurence of G. candidum infections in horses, coupled with the effective treatment outcomes, suggest that this particular fungus may be a more common cause of skin diseases in horses than previously recognized.
Research Methodology
Findings
Conclusion
Cite This Article
APA
Figueredo LA, Cafarchia C, Otranto D.
(2010).
Geotrichum candidum as etiological agent of horse dermatomycosis.
Vet Microbiol, 148(2-4), 368-371.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2010.09.025 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica e Zootecnia, Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Str. prov.le per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
- Arthrodermataceae / isolation & purification
- Dermatomycoses / drug therapy
- Dermatomycoses / microbiology
- Dermatomycoses / veterinary
- Female
- Geotrichum / isolation & purification
- Geotrichum / pathogenicity
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horses / microbiology
- Male
- Retrospective Studies
- Skin / microbiology
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Kamilari E, Stanton C, Reen FJ, Ross RP. Uncovering the Biotechnological Importance of Geotrichum candidum.. Foods 2023 Mar 7;12(6).
- Padalino B, Sandy JR, Barrasso R, Trotta A, Bozzo G, Cafarchia C. Rare Generalized Form of Fungal Dermatitis in a Horse: Case Report.. Animals (Basel) 2020 May 17;10(5).
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