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Veterinary dermatology1994; 5(3); 105-110; doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3164.1994.tb00021.x

Marked Acantholysis Associated with Dermatophytosis due to Trichophyton equinum in Two Horses.

Abstract: Resumen- Dos caballos adultos manifestaron un cuadro prurítico y de dolor asociado con una dermatitis generalizada de evolución rápida y consistente en la presencia de pápulas, pústulas y costras. El examen microscópico de extensiones citológicas a partir del exudado purulento reveló la presencia de numerosos queratinocitos acantoliticos, neutrófilos no degenerados y ausencia de microorganismos, lo que sugirió un diagnóstico de pénfigo foliáceo. Las biopsias de piel mostraron dermatofitosis, marcada acantolisis y crecióTrichophyton equinum en cultivos fúngicos. Las lesiones en ambos animales se resolvieron tras administrar una terapia tópica con sulfuro de cal. Postulamos que los encimas proteoliticos liberados por las cepas de Trichophyton equinum aisladas fueron los responsables del alto grado de acantolisis detectada citológica e histológicamente. [Scott D. W. Marked acantholysis associated with dermatophytosis due to Trichophyton equinum in two horses (Acantolisis marcade en associación con dermatofitosis por Trichophyton equinum en dos caballos). Abstract- Two adult horses developed a rapidly progressive, generalized, painful, pruritic, papular, pustular, and crusting dermatitis. Microscopic examination of direct smears made from purulent exudate revealed numerous acantholytic keratinocytes, nondegenerate neutrophils, and no microorganisms, suggesting a diagnosis of pemphigus foliaceus. Skin biopsies revealed dermatophytosis with prominent acantholysis, and fungal cultures were positive for Trichophyton equinum. The lesions in both horses resolved in association with topical applications of lime sulfur. It is hypothesized that proteolytic enzymes produced by the strains of T. equinum isolated were responsible for the prominent acantholysis seen cytologically and histologically.
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Publication Date: 1994-09-01 PubMed ID: 34645068DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3164.1994.tb00021.xGoogle 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.

The research studied two adult horses that showed signs of intense itching, pain, and rapidly progressing skin infection, which was later identified as caused by the fungus Trichophyton equinum. The treatment consisted of applying topical lime sulfur, which led to the resolution of the skin disease.

Research Purpose and Procedures

  • The study was initiated when two adult horses exhibited severe dermatitis, characterized by itching, pain, and the formation of pustules, papules, and scabs.
  • The researchers conducted a microscopic examination of the purulent exudates (oozing fluid from the skin lesions) and observed the presence of many acantholytic keratinocytes (skin cells that had lost their connections to surrounding cells) and non-degenerate neutrophils (active white blood cells), but no microorganisms.
  • This microscopic picture suggested a presumptive diagnosis of pemphigus foliaceus, a type of severe skin disease.

Key Findings

  • However, further investigation involving skin biopsies revealed a fungal infection, or dermatophytosis. The researchers identified marked acantholysis, which is a loss of intercellular connections between the skin cells, a signature sign of pemphigus foliaceus.
  • Fungal cultures yielded the growth of Trichophyton equinum, securing the diagnosis of the dermatophyte (fungus) causing the skin infection.

Conclusion and Implication

  • After topical treatment with lime sulfur, lesions in both horses resolved. This suggests that the treatment was effective against the fungal infection.
  • The prevalent acantholysis seen both microscopically and histologically (by studying the skin tissues) led the researchers to hypothesize that the proteolytic enzymes (protein-digesting enzymes) released by the isolated T. equinum strains might be responsible for this condition.
  • This study highlights the potential role of the fungal strain T. equinum in causing severe dermatitis in horses and suggests that topical lime sulfur can be considered a strong candidate for treating such infections.

Cite This Article

APA
Scott DW. (1994). Marked Acantholysis Associated with Dermatophytosis due to Trichophyton equinum in Two Horses. Vet Dermatol, 5(3), 105-110. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3164.1994.tb00021.x

Publication

Veterinary dermatology
ISSN: 1365-3164
NlmUniqueID: 9426187
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 5
Issue: 3
Pages: 105-110

Researcher Affiliations

Scott, Danny W
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, U.S.A.

References

This article includes 27 references
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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Kukhar Y, Bailina G, Smagulova A, Uakhit R, Kiyan V. Characteristics of Chrysosporium spp. Pathogens Causing Skin Mycoses in Horses. J Fungi (Basel) 2025 Apr 9;11(4).
    doi: 10.3390/jof11040297pubmed: 40278119google scholar: lookup
  2. Pin D. Non-dermatophyte Dermatoses Mimicking Dermatophytoses in Animals. Mycopathologia 2017 Feb;182(1-2):113-126.
    doi: 10.1007/s11046-016-0090-8pubmed: 27853914google scholar: lookup
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