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Veterinary medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)2012; 3; 7-17; doi: 10.2147/VMRR.S25013

Optimal management of equine keratomycosis.

Abstract: Keratomycosis in the horse exists in several unique clinical forms. This paper discusses the diagnosis and clinical management of keratomycosis in the horse associated with tear film instability, epithelial keratopathy, subepithelial infiltrates, superficial and deep ulcers, plaques, melting ulcers, descemetoceles, iris prolapse, and stromal abscesses. Prompt diagnosis and aggressive treatment of equine keratomycosis can make a major difference in the maintenance of a cosmetic and visual eye.
Publication Date: 2012-03-12 PubMed ID: 30155429PubMed Central: PMC6065588DOI: 10.2147/VMRR.S25013Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This research article focusses on diagnosing and treating different forms of keratomycosis, a fungal infection of the cornea in horses that can affect their vision and the appearance of their eyes. This condition is characterized by various clinical symptoms including tear film instability, keratopathy, ulcers, plaques, abscesses, and iris prolapse among others.

Understanding Keratomycosis

  • The paper initially deals with the understanding of keratomycosis – a fungal infection affecting the horse’s cornea. This can act as a debilitating disease leading to severe vision impairment and impact the general aesthetics of the horse’s eyes.

Identifying Forms and Symptoms

  • Unique clinical appearances of keratomycosis are discussed in detail. These include tear film instability, epithelial keratopathy (disorder of the corneal surface), subepithelial infiltrates (inflammation under the corneal surface), deep and superficial ulcers, plaques (abnormal patch on the cornea), melting ulcers, descemetoceles (protrusion of the inner corneal layer), stromal abscesses (clusters of infected cells within the layers of the cornea), and iris prolapse (displacement of the iris through the cornea).

Diagnosis of Keratomycosis

  • The research discusses different methods to achieve an accurate diagnosis of keratomycosis. Early detection and diagnosis are important to formulate an effective treatment plan for the horse’s eye.

Treatment and Management

  • Emphasis is placed on adopting an aggressive treatment approach to manage keratomycosis. While the precise nature of treatments isn’t specified in the abstract, the paper suggests that a proactive approach can significantly maintain a cosmetic and visual eye for the horse.
  • The subtopic also suggests how this study might help formulate improved treatment strategies or facilitate the development of new therapies in future.

Cite This Article

APA
Galera PD, Brooks DE. (2012). Optimal management of equine keratomycosis. Vet Med (Auckl), 3, 7-17. https://doi.org/10.2147/VMRR.S25013

Publication

ISSN: 2230-2034
NlmUniqueID: 101724251
Country: New Zealand
Language: English
Volume: 3
Pages: 7-17

Researcher Affiliations

Galera, Paula D
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Brasilia, DF, Brazil.
Brooks, Dennis E
  • Departments of Large and Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA, brooksd@ufl.edu.

Conflict of Interest Statement

Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 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. 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
  3. Stolle LM, Oltmanns H, Meißner J, Heun F, Schieder AK, Wolff HT, Ohnesorge B, Busse C. Polyhexanide, Povidone-Iodine, and Hypochlorous Acid Show High In Vitro Antimicrobial Efficacy Against Pathogens Commonly Associated With Equine Infectious Keratitis. Vet Ophthalmol 2026 Jan;29(1):e70141.
    doi: 10.1111/vop.70141pubmed: 41552904google scholar: lookup