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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2020; 10(5); 871; doi: 10.3390/ani10050871

Rare Generalized Form of Fungal Dermatitis in a Horse: Case Report.

Abstract: A rare case of spp. dermatitis in a horse is presented. After unrelated, previous surgery and antibiotic treatment, a saddle horse showed well-circumscribed areas of non-pruritic alopecia. Suspecting allergic skin disease, the horse was treated with corticosteroids. The skin lesion spread, and a second veterinarian was consulted. At clinical examination, the horse was lethargic, pyretic and hair was shedding/easily epilated over the head, neck, shoulders, and legs and the hind legs were swollen. Blood analysis revealed mild leucocytosis and hyperglobulinemia. Hair, skin scraping, and skin biopsy ruled out parasites and bacteria; cytology identified yeast-like structures with hyphae or pseudohyphae. was isolated on culture. Treatment consisted of stable disinfection, topical application of an antifungal solution, vitamins C and E supplementation and allowing the horse to graze in sunlight for at least 6 h/day. At 3-weeks follow-up, the horse had gained weight, alopecia was decreased, and all other clinical parameters were normal. Antifungal treatment was continued twice a week for three months. This study suggests may cause skin lesions in horses after long-term use of corticosteroids or antibiotics. To avoid unnecessary and prolonged suffering in cases of dermatitis, veterinarians should be promptly consulted, appropriate diagnostic procedures conducted, so that a definitive diagnosis can be reached, and an appropriate treatment regimen implemented.
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Publication Date: 2020-05-17 PubMed ID: 32429596PubMed Central: PMC7278430DOI: 10.3390/ani10050871Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

This study reports on a rare case of dermatitis in a horse, caused by a fungal species, after the horse underwent unrelated surgery and was given antibiotic treatment. Despite initial treatment for an allergic skin condition, the disease spread. After additional testing, the veterinarians identified yeast-like structures causing the condition and implemented an antifungal treatment, which led to an improvement in the horse’s condition.

Initial Presentation and Diagnosis

  • The affected horse initially showed signs of non-pruritic alopecia (non-itchy hair loss) in well-defined areas after having undergone unrelated surgery and getting an antibiotic treatment. The initial diagnosis was an allergic skin disease, leading to a treatment of corticosteroids.
  • However, the condition worsened eventually. The scalp lesions spread and the horse showed additional symptoms like lethargy, increased body temperature, hair shedding or easy epilation from the head, neck, shoulders and legs, and swollen hind legs.
  • A blood analysis was performed, which revealed mild leucocytosis (an increase in the number of white blood cells) and hyperglobulinemia (an increase in the levels of globulins, a type of protein in the blood).

Secondary Consultation and Treatment

  • A secondary consultation was sought and additional diagnostic procedures were performed including hair, skin scraping, and skin biopsy, which ruled out parasites and bacteria as the cause.
  • Cytology, the study of cells, identified yeast-like structures with hyphae or pseudohyphae. The fungal species in question, identified as , was isolated on culture.
  • Treatment involved disinfecting the stable where the horse was kept, applying an antifungal solution topically, supplementing the horse with vitamins C and E, and letting the horse graze in sunlight for at least six hours per day.
  • After three weeks of this regime, the horse had gained weight, the alopecia had decreased, and all other clinical parameters had returned to normal. The antifungal treatment was continued twice a week for three months subsequently.

Study Implications

  • This study suggests that may cause skin lesions in horses after long-term use of corticosteroids or antibiotics. This emphasizes the need for healthcare providers to consider fungal causes in cases of dermatitis, especially when occurring after treatments involving corticosteroids or antibiotics.
  • By documenting this case, the authors note the potential for unnecessary and prolonged suffering in cases of dermatitis, and the importance of swift consultation with veterinarians. It’s emphasized that appropriate diagnostic procedures must be conducted so that a definitive diagnosis can be reached and an appropriate treatment regimen implemented.

Cite This Article

APA
Padalino B, Sandy JR, Barrasso R, Trotta A, Bozzo G, Cafarchia C. (2020). Rare Generalized Form of Fungal Dermatitis in a Horse: Case Report. Animals (Basel), 10(5), 871. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10050871

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 5
PII: 871

Researcher Affiliations

Padalino, Barbara
  • Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Giuseppe Fanin 46, 40127 Bologna, Italy.
Sandy, Jeanine Rhoda
  • Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Barrasso, Roberta
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Strada Provinciale per Casamassima km 3, 70010 Valenzano (BA), Italy.
Trotta, Adriana
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Strada Provinciale per Casamassima km 3, 70010 Valenzano (BA), Italy.
Bozzo, Giancarlo
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Strada Provinciale per Casamassima km 3, 70010 Valenzano (BA), Italy.
Cafarchia, Claudia
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Strada Provinciale per Casamassima km 3, 70010 Valenzano (BA), Italy.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Kamilari E, Stanton C, Reen FJ, Ross RP. Uncovering the Biotechnological Importance of Geotrichum candidum. Foods 2023 Mar 7;12(6).
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  2. Kukhar Y, Bailina G, Smagulova A, Uakhit R, Kiyan V. Characteristics of Chrysosporium spp. Pathogens Causing Skin Mycoses in Horses. J Fungi (Basel) 2025 Apr 9;11(4).
    doi: 10.3390/jof11040297pubmed: 40278119google scholar: lookup
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