Cutaneous Pythiosis in a Slaughtered Horse: A Case Report

Abstract

Cutaneous pythiosis in a horse submitted for slaughter is described in Northern Paraná, Brazil. The animal presented an ulcerative, granulomatous lesion on the lateral surface of the left forelimb just above the elbow joint. Histopathological evaluation revealed an eosinophilic granulomatous reaction associated with intralesional hyphae characteristic of Pythium insidiosum visualized by Gomori’s methenamine silver stain. Other cutaneous equine lesions easily confused with cutaneous pythiosis are discussed and differentiated. Suggestion for gross identification of these lesions and the final destination of horsemeat infected by P. insidiosum during Federal Inspection are given.