Multi-locus DNA sequence analysis, antifungal agent susceptibility, and fungal keratitis outcome in horses from Southeastern United States.
Abstract: Morphological characterization and multi-locus DNA sequence analysis of fungal isolates obtained from 32 clinical cases of equine fungal keratitis (FK) was performed to identify species and determine associations with antifungal susceptibility, response to therapy and clinical outcome. Two species of Aspergillus (A. flavus and A. fumigatus) and three species of Fusarium (F. falciforme, F. keratoplasticum, and F. proliferatum) were the most common fungi isolated and identified from FK horses. Most (91%) equine FK Fusarium nested within the Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC) with nine genetically diverse strains/lineages, while 83% of equine FK Aspergillus nested within the A. flavus clade with three genetically diverse lineages. Fungal species and evolutionary lineage were not associated with clinical outcome. However, species of equine FK Fusarium were more likely (p = 0.045) to be associated with stromal keratitis. Species of Aspergillus were more susceptible to voriconazole and terbinafine than species of Fusarium, while species of Fusarium were more susceptible to thiabendazole than species of Aspergillus. At the species level, A. fumigatus and A. flavus were more susceptible to voriconazole and terbinafine than F. falciforme. Natamycin susceptibility was higher for F. falciforme and A. fumigatus compared to A. flavus. Furthermore, F. falciforme was more susceptible to thiabendazole than A. flavus and A. fumigatus. These observed associations of antifungal sensitivity to natamycin, terbinafine, and thiabendazole demonstrate the importance of fungal identification to the species rather than genus level. The results of this study suggest that treatment of equine FK with antifungal agents requires accurate fungal species identification.
Publication Date: 2019-03-28 PubMed ID: 30921394PubMed Central: PMC6438541DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214214Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- Non-P.H.S.
Summary
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This research examined different species of fungus found in horse eye infections (fungal keratitis) in the Southeastern United States. It investigated their response to various antifungal treatments, and found that knowing the specific species of fungus is key to effective treatment.
Research Methodology and Findings
- The study performed a series of tests on 32 clinical cases of equine fungal keratitis, which is an infection of the cornea in horses. It used two types of analyses – morphological characterization (based on the structure and form) and multi-locus DNA sequence analysis – to identify the specific fungal species involved in the infection.
- The experiments isolated two types of Aspergillus species (A. flavus and A. fumigatus) and three types of Fusarium species (F. falciforme, F. keratoplasticum, and F. proliferatum) as the most common fungi from horses with this type of infection.
- It was discovered that most of these fungal infections were either Aspergillus flavus or part of the Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC), with a number of genetically diverse strains identified in each. There was no clear link between the type of fungus and the outcome of the infection in the horses.
- The study found that specific fungal species responded differently to certain antifungal substances. Both species of Aspergillus were more susceptible (vulnerable) to treatment with voriconazole and terbinafine than the Fusarium species, while Fusarium species were more susceptible to thiabendazole. At a detailed level, A. fumigatus and A. flavus were more susceptible to voriconazole and terbinafine than F. falciforme.
Implication of Research
- The research shed light on the critical importance of identifying the precise fungal species behind equine fungal keratitis. Based on the results, different fungal species respond more effectively to different types of antifungal treatments.
- This would indicate that in order to successfully treat this type of eye infection, veterinarians should first determine which specific fungus is causing the issue. Only then should they choose the treatment, tailoring it to the specific fungus.
- This approach, based on the precise fungal identification, could potentially improve the effectiveness of the treatment, reducing the health risk to the horses and potentially the cost and duration of the treatment.
Conclusion
The study demonstrates that understanding the specific species of fungus is crucial in treating equine fungal keratitis. This could have a significant impact on the overall approach to treating these types of fungal infections in horses, highlighting the need for accurate identification of fungal species to tailor the treatment and increase its effectiveness.
Cite This Article
APA
Cullen M, Jacob ME, Cornish V, VanderSchel IQ, Cotter HVT, Cubeta MA, Carbone I, Gilger BC.
(2019).
Multi-locus DNA sequence analysis, antifungal agent susceptibility, and fungal keratitis outcome in horses from Southeastern United States.
PLoS One, 14(3), e0214214.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0214214 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, United States of America.
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, United States of America.
- Center for Integrated Fungal Research, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, United States of America.
- Center for Integrated Fungal Research, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, United States of America.
- Center for Integrated Fungal Research, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, United States of America.
- Center for Integrated Fungal Research, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, United States of America.
- Center for Integrated Fungal Research, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, United States of America.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, United States of America.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antifungal Agents / pharmacology
- Eye Infections, Fungal / drug therapy
- Eye Infections, Fungal / microbiology
- Eye Infections, Fungal / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horses
- Keratitis / drug therapy
- Keratitis / microbiology
- Keratitis / veterinary
- Southeastern United States
- Species Specificity
- Thiabendazole / pharmacology
Grant Funding
- T32 AI052080 / NIAID NIH HHS
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
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Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Walsh ML, Meason-Smith C, Arnold C, Suchodolski JS, Scott EM. Evaluation of the ocular surface mycobiota in clinically normal horses.. PLoS One 2021;16(2):e0246537.
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