Epidemiologia de micoses, pitiose e micotoxicoses em equinos no sudeste do Rio Grande do Sul

Abstract

The epidemiological aspects of diseases caused by fungi and oomycetes in horses in southeastern Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, is described. The epidemiological rates, their causes, and health importance in the region were established. A descriptive epidemiology study was carried out in relation of potential risk factors. The impact on these diseases in the region was measured. From 1978 to 2014, pythiosis had a prevalence of 49.71% (86/173), and mycotoxicoses of 30.05% (52/173), with 45 cases of leukoencephalomalacia and 7 of ergotism. The prevalence of fungal infections was 19.65% (34/173) of cases. Dermatophytosis was the most prevalent fungal infection with 58.82% (20/34) of cases. The most isolated dermatophyte species were Trichophyton mentagrophytes 60% (12/20), Trichophyton equinum 25% (5/20) and Microsporum gypseum, Microsporum canis, and Trichophyton verrucosum, both responsible for 5% (1/20) of infections. Rhinosporidose was diagnosed in 35.29% (12/34) of cases. Uterine mycosis caused by Candida albicans and Cryptococcus laurentii was observed at 5.88% (2/34) of cases. Cladosporium sp. allergy was noted in one record. According to the incidence from 1990 to 2014, pythiosis had median incidence (MI) of 2.98 and interquartile range (DI) of 3.82. Mares were 4.18 times likely to develop the disease then males. The disease occurs in the region in every season. Leukoencephalomalacia had MI of 0.0; DI 1.00 and male horses were 3.4 times more likely than mares to develop the disease. Leukoencephalomalacia was 6 times more likely to occur during winter. Ergotism had MI of 0.00; DI of 0.000, rhinosporidiosis MI of 0.00, DI of 0.088 and ringworm MI of 0.00, and DI of 0.935. In the study pythiosis had the highest prevalence among the diseases observed, and may be considered endemic in the region. The magnitude of the diseases observed may be even greater within the equine herd, since these diseases are not of obligatory notification and some are well known by veterinarians and owners, who often do not obtain a laboratory confirmation of the diagnosis.

Clinical findings of equine leukoencephalomalacia

“…Seventy-two percent (8/11) of the cases described in this study occurred during the autumn and winter seasons in the Southern Hemisphere (March to September). The same was observed by Riet-Correa et al (2013) and Reis-Gomes et al (2018). During these seasons, the pastures offered to the animals are of low quality.…”

“…Leukoencephalomalacia (LEM) is a disease caused by the ingestion of corn and its derivatives, such as pelleted feeds and hay (Vendruscolo et al 2016) contaminated with fumonisin, a Fusarium verticillioides metabolite (synonymous with F. moniliforme) (Câmara et al 2008, Del Fava et al 2010, Riet-Correa et al 2013). In the south and southeast of Brazil, this disease is seasonal, occurring mainly from July to September (Salles-Gomes et al 2003, Riet-Correa et al 2013, Reis-Gomes et al 2018. The disease affects equines, and there are few reports in the literature on its occurrence in asinine, which is considered a species with possible resistance to the disease (Salles-Gomes et al 2003, Riet-Correa et al 2013, Reis-Gomes et al 2018.…”

“…In the south and southeast of Brazil, this disease is seasonal, occurring mainly from July to September (Salles-Gomes et al 2003, Riet-Correa et al 2013, Reis-Gomes et al 2018. The disease affects equines, and there are few reports in the literature on its occurrence in asinine, which is considered a species with possible resistance to the disease (Salles-Gomes et al 2003, Riet-Correa et al 2013, Reis-Gomes et al 2018. LEM is caused by B1 (FB1), B2 (FB2), A1 (FA1), and A2 (FA2) fumonisins (Câmara et al 2008).…”

“…Several studies have focused on the epidemiology, clinical signs, and pathological findings of LEM (Riet-Correa et al 1998, Mallmann et al 1999, Salles-Gomes et al 2003, Câmara et al 2008, Pimentel et al 2009, Del Fava et al 2010, Riet-Correa et al 2013, Vendruscolo et al 2016, Reis-Gomes et al 2018. However, few studies have focused on the findings in the CSF of affected animals.…”

Dermatophytosis by Trichophyton verrucosum in domestic feline – case report

“…Nonetheless, some international papers point out their isolations in dogs and cats (Moosavi et al, 2019;Long et al, 2020), based on their capacity of infecting small animals. In addition, Reis-Gomes et al (2018), have shown the occurrence of the mentioned species in uncommon hosts, such as equines, which instigates the wide possibility of hosts for T. verrucosum. Moreover, a Brazilian study about the distribution of dermatophytes in the environment has revealed the isolation of T. verrucosum in 7,6% of the samples coming from urban areas in the state of Paraíba, Brazil (Pontes et al, 2013), indicating its elevated adaptability to different conditions.…”