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Veterinary research communications2006; 30(8); 903-906; doi: 10.1007/s11259-006-3366-5

Occurrence of fungi from conjunctiva of healthy horses in Tuscany, Italy.

Abstract: The fungal flora of the normal conjunctival fornix has been described for many animal species (Urban et al., 1972; Samuelson et al., 1984; Moore et al., 1988; Davidson et al., 1994; Cooper et at, 2001) and many environmental factors, such as age, geography, habitat and husbandry are reported to influence its composition (Samuelson at at, 1984; Andrew et at, 2003). Equine keratomycosis can be caused by saprophytic fungi following an underlying corneal pathology or improper use of topical antibiotics and/or topical corticosteroids (Andrew at al., 1998; Brooks, 1999). Knowledge of differences in geographic prevalence of fungi and their frequency in the conjunctiva of the horse could allow the identification of risk factors for the development of keratomycosis. The purpose of the present paper was to culture, describe and quantify moulds and yeasts from the conjunctival fornix of healthy horses living in Tuscany (Italy), and to identify the most common fungal species.
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Publication Date: 2006-12-02 PubMed ID: 17139539DOI: 10.1007/s11259-006-3366-5Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 discusses the occurrence of fungi in the conjunctiva (eye surface) of healthy horses in Tuscany, Italy and the impact of different geographical conditions on this occurrence. The paper also discusses the potential risk factors for the development of keratomycosis (fungal infection of the cornea) in horses.

Research Background

  • The fungal flora of the normal conjunctiva is well-documented in many animals including horses. The composition of this flora can be influenced by various factors including age, geography, habitat and husbandry methods.
  • Equine keratomycosis, a condition where the cornea of the horse gets infected by fungi, is often caused due to saprophytic fungi. This condition can be exacerbated by other corneal pathologies, or the improper use of topical antibiotics and corticosteroids.

Research Objective

  • The intent of the study was to identify and quantify the moulds and yeasts in the conjunctiva of healthy horses residing in Tuscany, Italy. The researchers hoped that identifying the different types of fungi prevalent in different geographical regions may help in identifying potential risk factors for the development of keratomycosis.

Research Methodology

  • The method to achieve this research goal involved the routine culture of conjunctiva flora from healthy horses. These cultures were then presumably scrutinized and quantified to identify the most common fungal species found in this part of the horse’s eye.

Significance of the Study

  • This research is important as it may help in better understanding the geographical prevalence of different fungal species, which could potentially help in identifying risk factors for equine keratomycosis.
  • Moreover, the research outcomes could also be potentially critical in getting insight into better prevention and treatment methods for keratomycosis.

Cite This Article

APA
Barsotti G, Sgorbini M, Nardoni S, Corazza M, Mancianti F. (2006). Occurrence of fungi from conjunctiva of healthy horses in Tuscany, Italy. Vet Res Commun, 30(8), 903-906. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-006-3366-5

Publication

Veterinary research communications
ISSN: 0165-7380
NlmUniqueID: 8100520
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 30
Issue: 8
Pages: 903-906

Researcher Affiliations

Barsotti, G
  • Dipartimento di Clinica Veterinaria, Università degli Studi, Pisa, Italy.
Sgorbini, M
    Nardoni, S
      Corazza, M
        Mancianti, F

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Conjunctiva / microbiology
          • Female
          • Fungi / classification
          • Fungi / isolation & purification
          • Health
          • Horses / microbiology
          • Italy
          • Male

          References

          This article includes 8 references
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            pubmed: 7978633
          2. Andrew SE, Brooks DE, Smith PJ, Gelatt KN, Chmielewski NT, Whittaker CJ. Equine ulcerative keratomycosis: visual outcome and ocular survival in 39 cases (1987-1996).. Equine Vet J 1998 Mar;30(2):109-16.
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          3. Urban M, Wyman M, Rheins M, Marraro RV. Conjunctival flora of clinically normal dogs.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1972 Jul 15;161(2):201-6.
            pubmed: 5036187
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            pubmed: 3400913
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            pubmed: 6539761
          6. Andrew SE, Nguyen A, Jones GL, Brooks DE. Seasonal effects on the aerobic bacterial and fungal conjunctival flora of normal thoroughbred brood mares in Florida.. Vet Ophthalmol 2003 Mar;6(1):45-50.
            pubmed: 12641842doi: 10.1046/j.1463-5224.2003.00265.xgoogle scholar: lookup
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            pubmed: 12641843doi: 10.1046/j.1463-5224.2003.00267.xgoogle scholar: lookup
          8. Cooper SC, McLellan GJ, Rycroft AN. Conjunctival flora observed in 70 healthy domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).. Vet Rec 2001 Aug 25;149(8):232-5.
            pubmed: 11554567doi: 10.1136/vr.149.8.232google scholar: lookup

          Citations

          This article has been cited 4 times.
          1. Mo PM, Picard J, Gummow B. The conjunctival fungal microflora of horses in a North Queensland tropical environment and their in vitro susceptibilities to antifungal agents. Vet Res Commun 2023 Sep;47(3):1641-1651.
            doi: 10.1007/s11259-023-10119-9pubmed: 37022654google scholar: lookup
          2. Nardi S, Puccini Leoni F, Monticelli V, Ebani VV, Bertelloni F, Marzoni M, Mancianti F, Citi S, Barsotti G. Tear Production, Intraocular Pressure, Ultrasound Biometric Features and Conjunctival Flora Identification in Clinically Normal Eyes of Two Italian Breeds of Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus). Animals (Basel) 2021 Oct 17;11(10).
            doi: 10.3390/ani11102987pubmed: 34680006google scholar: lookup
          3. Tahoun A, Elnafarawy HK, Elmahallawy EK, Abdelhady A, Rizk AM, El-Sharkawy H, Youssef MA, El-Khodery S, Ibrahim HMM. Epidemiological and Molecular Investigation of Ocular Fungal Infection in Equine from Egypt. Vet Sci 2020 Sep 8;7(3).
            doi: 10.3390/vetsci7030130pubmed: 32911615google scholar: lookup
          4. Bonelli F, Barsotti G, Attili AR, Mugnaini L, Cuteri V, Preziuso S, Corazza M, Preziuso G, Sgorbini M. Conjunctival bacterial and fungal flora in clinically normal sheep. Vet Rec Open 2014;1(1):e000017.
            doi: 10.1136/vropen-2013-000017pubmed: 26392873google scholar: lookup
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