Equine keratomycoses in California from 1987 to 2010 (47 cases)

Abstract

Summary Reasons for Performing Study Equine keratomycosis in the western United States has received little study, likely due to its low prevalence. Objectives To determine clinical features, predominant fungal isolates, treatment modalities, and outcomes of horses with keratomycosis in California and compare these with results from different geographic regions. Methods Records of horses presented to the University of California-Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (UCD-VMTH) with confirmed keratomycosis between 1987 and 2010 were reviewed for this retrospective study. Information retrieved from the record included signalment, ophthalmic examination findings, treatment prior to and following presentation, visual outcome, and ocular survival. Results A total of 48 eyes of 47 horses met inclusion criteria and comprised 2% of cases presented to the UCD-VMTH ophthalmology service. Prior to presentation, 20 horses (43%) received at least one topically administered anti-inflammatory medication. Keratomycosis was confirmed by fungal culture in 38 horses (81%), by histopathology in 2 horses (4%) or by cytology in 7 horses (15%). Forty-four isolates were identified in the 38 horses cultured; Aspergillus was the most common isolate (64%) and a novel isolate, Papulospora, was identified in 2 horses. Treatment consisted of medications only (73%), medical and surgical treatment (25%), or immediate enucleation (2%). Globe retention was 77% and vision retention was 53%. Corneal perforation was significantly associated with loss of vision (P < 0.001). Conclusions Keratomycosis is relatively uncommon in horses presented for ophthalmic conditions at UCD-VMTH. Corneal perforation was a negative prognostic indicator for vision in this population of northern Californian horses.

Ulcerative fungal keratitis in a Brown Swiss cow

“…To the authors' knowledge, no case report exists describing an ulcerative keratitis caused by E. amstelodami in any animal species . Aspergillus fumigatus is one of the fungal species most often causing fungal keratitis in horses . E. amstelodami is discussed as being a cause agent of farmer's lung disease in humans, and it might play a role in equine recurrent airway obstruction .…”

Evaluation of the conjunctival fungal flora and its susceptibility to antifungal agents in healthy horses in Switzerland

“…Toll‐like receptors have been found to play an important role in the pathogenesis of human keratomycosis and might participate in the course of the disease in horses . The prevalence of keratomycosis was reported in a study from Switzerland to be 3.4%, in studies from other countries between 2 and 10% of all equine ophthalmologic cases . Keratomycosis is a sight‐threatening disease and very often treatment is complicated, needs to be aggressive and of a long duration.…”

“…12 The prevalence of keratomycosis was reported in a study from Switzerland to be 3.4%, in studies from other countries between 2 and 10% of all equine ophthalmologic cases. 11,[13][14][15][16] Keratomycosis is a sight-threatening disease and very often treatment is complicated, needs to be aggressive and of a long duration. Several authors described a 60-70% rate of globe survival treating eyes with keratomycosis medically and/or surgically, while one author arrived at a globe survival rate of 95%.…”

A retrospective analysis of environmental risk factors for the diagnosis of deep stromal abscess in 390 horses in North Central Florida from 1991 to 2013

“…Filamentous Aspergillus and Fusarium spp. are found in subtropical climates and Candida (yeast) in more temperate regions …”

“…Deep stromal abscesses (DSA) are a particularly aggressive sight‐threatening keratitis in the horse with pronounced secondary iridocyclitis that generally require prolonged and aggressive medical and surgical therapy . Horses with DSA usually present with varying degrees of blepharospasm, an intact corneal epithelial surface, and a focal yellow to white opacity in the posterior stroma adjacent to Descemet's membrane that can rupture into the anterior chamber (Fig.…”