Maduromycosis (Madurella mycetomatis) in a horse.

This research article discusses the first ever reported case of a horse suffering from maduromycosis – a fungal infection caused by Madurella mycetomatis, typically characterized by a swollen mass with black granular material, and its subsequent treatment.

Introduction

Maduromycosis, a rare fungal infection caused by Madurella mycetomatis, also known as mycetoma, was diagnosed in a horse. Typically, this disease is known for causing serious lesions, particularly on the lower extremities in humans and animals, but it’s rare to present in a horse. The case is significant not only because of its rarity but it also sheds light on how this disease can present in diverse hosts and potentially evolve in different ways.

Clinical Presentation

• The horse exhibited multiple subcutaneous swellings over its right scapula, but the usual symptoms of discharging fistulae were absent in the presentation of this case.
• The infection was seen to consist of a black granular material embedded within a granulomatous mass when examined at a macroscopic level, a typical feature of maduromycosis.

Microscopic examination and culture

• Upon microscopic examination, huge numbers of microcolonies were seen, each containing segmented hyphae. Typically, one would expect to see chlamydospores, but none were observed in this particular case.
• The cultures that were made from the lesion yielded a fungus that was identified as Madurella mycetomatis, thus confirming the presence of the organism responsible for maduromycosis.

Treatment

• Given the localized nature of the infection, surgical excision was performed. This treatment modality involves removing the entire granulomatous mass and any nested fungal colonies.
• Topical treatment with thiabendazole powder, a broad-spectrum anthelmintic, was also adopted to combat the fungus locally and prevent the infection from recurring.

The case study not only provides important insights into diagnosing and treating mycetoma in horses, but also aids in understanding unknown or atypical presentations of commonly known diseases. It emphasizes the importance of considering diverse causes when diagnosing lesions and the efficacy of combined treatment strategies in successfully treating such infections.