Ulcerative and Spreading Nodular Lesion of Epizootic Lymphangitis in Adult Black Horse in Gondar, Ethiopia: Case Report and Wound Treatment.
Abstract: An adult male black horse was presented to the UOG veterinary clinic with swelling, discharge, and skin wounds on the chest wall and the right front leg; then, it goes to the lateral and medial hind leg. Inspection and palpation were carried out, and we revealed that the skin was swelled, thickened and hard on clinical examination. There was also nodule rupture, and discharge on the limb and chest skin. Different therapy was applied starting from washing the wound with water-diluted potassium permanganate and then 0.9% NaCl together with paraffin topically placed on the wound. 10% povidone-iodine was also applied by using gauze. Griseofulvin 750 mg/day for one week was given as antifungal therapy orally. The prognosis was poor due to the long incubation period and high resistance of the causative agent.
Copyright © 2024 Balemual Abebaw.
Publication Date: 2024-02-26 PubMed ID: 38444552PubMed Central: PMC10911875DOI: 10.1155/2024/2478774Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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Ulcerative and spreading nodular lesions in an adult black horse in Gondar, Ethiopia, were clinically examined and treated for epizootic lymphangitis, although the prognosis was poor due to disease severity and resistance to treatment.
Case Presentation and Clinical Examination
- An adult male black horse was brought to the University of Gondar (UOG) veterinary clinic with visible clinical signs.
- Signs included swelling, discharge, and skin wounds located on the chest wall and right front leg.
- Lesions subsequently spread to involve the lateral and medial parts of the hind leg.
- On clinical inspection and palpation, the horse’s skin appeared swollen, thickened, and hard.
- Nodules on the affected limbs and chest ruptured, producing discharge consistent with ulcerative lesions.
Disease Identification
- The clinical signs were attributed to epizootic lymphangitis, a chronic granulomatous disease affecting the skin and lymphatic vessels, typically caused by the fungal pathogen Histoplasma capsulatum var. farciminosum.
- The presence of nodular lesions, thickened skin, and purulent discharge aligned with typical presentations of this infection in horses.
Treatment Protocol
- Initial wound management included washing with diluted potassium permanganate—an antiseptic agent used to clean and reduce microbial load.
- Following cleansing, wounds were rinsed with 0.9% sodium chloride (NaCl) solution to further flush and moisturize the area.
- Paraffin was applied topically on the wounds to create a protective barrier and promote healing.
- Additionally, 10% povidone-iodine was used with gauze dressings to provide antimicrobial activity.
- Systemic antifungal therapy consisted of oral griseofulvin at a dose of 750 mg per day for one week.
Prognosis and Challenges
- The prognosis was deemed poor, attributed primarily to the disease’s long incubation period allowing widespread tissue involvement before treatment initiation.
- Epizootic lymphangitis is known for its high resistance to therapy, complicating effective fungal eradication.
- The chronic nature of the infection and formation of nodular lesions reduced the likelihood of complete recovery even with appropriate treatment.
- Delayed presentation and extensive lesion spread further diminished the therapeutic success.
Significance of the Case Report
- This case highlights the clinical features and therapeutic challenges posed by epizootic lymphangitis in horses within a local Ethiopian context.
- The report emphasizes the need for early detection and prompt, aggressive treatment to improve outcomes.
- It also underscores the importance of adequate wound care combined with systemic antifungal therapy in managing such chronic infections.
Cite This Article
APA
Abebaw B.
(2024).
Ulcerative and Spreading Nodular Lesion of Epizootic Lymphangitis in Adult Black Horse in Gondar, Ethiopia: Case Report and Wound Treatment.
Case Rep Vet Med, 2024, 2478774.
https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/2478774 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The author declares that, to the best of his/her knowledge, there is no known conflict of interest associated with this case report.
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Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Sukmanadi M, Khairullah AR, Wardhani BWK, Mustofa I, Aliyah SH, Moses IB, Ahmad RZ, Khalisa AT, Pratama BP, Kusala MKJ, Kurniasih DAA, Akintunde AO, Fauziah I, Wibowo S, Furqoni AH, Fauzia KA, Melati I, Kurniawan M'. Glanders: Historical military use and potential bioterrorism concern.. Open Vet J 2025 Sep;15(9):3912-3930.
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