Systemic aspergillosis associated with acute enterocolitis in foals.

The research investigates two cases of systemic aspergillosis in foals detected in the same region of southern Brazil. The paper suggests that this rare yet fatal disease may be triggered by factors like immune suppression by primary enterocolitis, corticosteroid treatment, and multiple doses of antibacterial treatments.

Context and Purpose of the Study

• The study is based on two cases of systemic aspergillosis in foals from the same region of southern Brazil. The research is conducted because aspergillosis is an uncommon but potent disease in horses.
• The objective of the study is to offer insights on what might lead to the disease, given its lethal nature, and to better equip equine veterinarians regarding this disease. The research also aims to alert veterinarians about the need to investigate possible fungal co-infections in complicated cases of enterocolitis.

Disease Observations and Identified Risk Factors

• The study identified that the two foals developed systemic aspergillosis after undergoing treatment for enterocolitis, a condition that causes inflammation in the small and large intestines, that involved corticosteroids and multiple antibacterial treatments.
• The research suggested that the primary factor causing the disease was immune suppression by primary enterocolitis and corticosteroid treatment. This condition along with the damage in the epithelium from multiple antibacterial treatments led to local fungal proliferation.
• The local fungal proliferation then allowed the disease to invade tissues and spread the infection, ultimately leading to the death of the foals.

Conclusions and Impact of Research

• The study concludes that the use of multiple antibacterials and corticosteroids for treating enterocolitis might have contributed to the onset of systemic aspergillosis in the foals. This discovery underscores the need for caution when treating enterocolitis in foals.
• The findings of this research could help equine veterinarians become more aware of the risks associated with concurrent fungal infections during the treatment of complicated enterocolitis cases.
• Finally, the study underscores the importance of learning more about aspergillosis—its causes, prevention, and treatment—to prevent fatal outcomes in horses.