Phycomycosis caused by Basidiobolus haptosporus in two horses.

This research investigates two cases of horses infected with the fungus Basidiobolus haptosporus, which led to rapidly progressive ulcerative lesions. The study discusses the diagnosis methods used, the pathology involved, and the treatment administered, which included surgery and potassium iodide.

Detailed Explanation of the Research Paper

The research paper explores two specific cases of horses being diagnosed with Phycomycosis caused by the fungus Basidiobolus haptosporus.

• The infection was manifested primarily through rapidly progressive ulcerative lesions on the ventral midline of the horse’s body.
• The researchers were able to isolate the Basidiobolus haptosporus fungus from one of the horses, providing a definite confirmation of the cause of the infection.

Pathological Findings

Various pathological observations and findings were reported in the paper which were instrumental in diagnosing the condition.

• The study reported an irregular line of yellow material composed of hyphae, eosinophils, and granulomatous inflammation in the area between the superficial edematous tissue and the underlying muscle. Hyphae are the long, branching filamentous structure of a fungus, while eosinophils are a type of white blood cell known for fighting infections and are associated with inflammatory response.
• The presence of hyphae intimately surrounded by granular eosinophilic cuffs in tissue sections was also noted in both cases. This observation is considered a diagnostic criterion for this kind of fungal infection.

Treatment

Following the diagnosis, both horses were treated and managed successfully through a combination of treatments:

• Surgery was performed presumably to remove the ulcerative lesions and get rid of the majority of the infected tissue.
• Post-surgery, the horses were treated with potassium iodide. This is a medication often used to treat certain types of skin conditions and fungal infections. In this case, it would have served to eradicate the remaining Basidiobolus haptosporus in the horse’s body.