Phycomycotic granuloma in horses in the Northern Territory.

The article discusses a disease prevalent among horses known as “swamp cancer” mostly found in the lower body and legs, characterized by noticeable necrosis. The research specifically examines two cases in which the disease was attributed to the fungus Hyphoimyces destruens.

Understanding Swamp Cancer

• Swamp cancer, as discussed in the article, is a disease known to affect horses. It was initially outlined by Lewis in his 1914 study, “Equine Granuloma in the Northern Territory of Australia”.
• The disease primarily affects superficial sites in horses but is rarely seen above the shoulder joint. It is commonly seen on the lower legs and the ventral aspect of the thoracoabdominal wall.
• Two types of lesions are associated with this disease – granulating ulcers found on the legs and subcutaneous swellings on the body. Both types are characterised by a noticeable presence of necrotic (dead) cores or “kunkers” in the inflammatory tissue. These serve as clear indications of the disease.

Link to Hyphoimyces destruens

• This study refers to research by Johnston and Hutchins and Johnston, who observed lesions similar to those described previously by Lewis on horses’ legs.
• These observations came from case studies they conducted on two horses in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales.
• The lesions were attributed to the fungus known as Hyphoimyces destruens. The fungus is known to coat on grains of pollen and can grow to form infections once entering a host organism.
• Furthermore, similar observations have been made in cases found in Southeast Queensland by a researcher named Connole in 1973, reaffirming the link between the disease and the fungus.

Study Findings

• The researchers in this study further add to the growing body of evidence linking this severe horse disease to the Hyphoimyces destruens fungus.
• They report their own observations of similar lesions found in two additional horses, expanding on the previously established knowledge.