Equine zygomycosis caused by Conidiobolus lamprauges

Abstract

A 15-year-old Arabian mare from southern Louisiana with a 2-month history of periodic epistaxis and severe weight loss had a large, fibrosing, granulomatous mass containing numerous nodules ("kunkers") projecting dorsally into the nasopharynx, and was euthanized at the owner's request. In addition to these kunkers, the mass contained a single trematode tentatively identified as Fasciola hepatica. Several kunkers were removed, washed thoroughly in sterile water and embedded in nutrient agars; the fungus that grew out of them was identified as Conidiobolus lamprauges Drechsler (Entomophthorales: Ancylistaceae). This is the first report of C. lamprauges from any vertebrate mycosis, and only the third Conidiobolus species reported from vertebrates. Unlike many other entomophthoraleans, the fungus isolated from this mycosis grew well at 37°C. The possible means by which Conidiobolus species may infect vertebrates is discussed. These mycoses probably result most often from chronic exposure during sleep to conidia discharged from fungal growth on decaying plant material in the bedding.

Treatment of a mare forConidiobolus coronatusinfection

“…Conidiobolus incongruus has caused rhinocerebral and nasal infection in sheep and systemic infection in man and deer (Carrigan et al 1992;Ketterer et al 1992;Walsh et al 1994;Stephens and Gibson 1997). Conidiobolus lamprauges caused pharyngeal zygomycosis in an Arabian mare (Humber et al 1989).…”

Conidiobolomycosis

“…Infection by Conidiobolus, which is found in the soil and decaying organic material (Miller 1983b), can occur while the horse is grazing. Because damp and decaying bedding provides an ideal habitat for the growth of the fungus, infection may occur when the horse sleeps on decaying damp bedding (Humber et al 1989). Whether or not the respiratory epithelium must be damaged for entry of the organism is not known, but bacterial or viral infection of the respiratory epithelium may perhaps cause mucosal damage and provide entry for the fungal conidia (Hanselka 1977).…”

Treatment of Conidiobolus sp. Pneumonia with Itraconazole in a Dog Receiving Immunosuppressive Therapy

“…2,3 Members of the Entomophthorales are widely distributed in nature as saprophytes or as facultative or obligate insect pathogens. 4 Infections are most often found in immunocompetent individuals living in tropical or subtropical climates. [5][6][7] Conidiobolus coronatus, Conidiobolus incongruus, and Conidiobolus lamprauges are the species of Conidiobolus that have previously been shown to cause disease in vertebrate hosts and are commonly found in decaying plant matter and soil.…”

“…Infections in people caused by members of the genus Conidiobolus are most often manifested as proliferative and ulcerative nasopharyngeal disease that may extend to tissues of the face, sinuses, retropharyngeal region, retrobulbar space, and, occasionally, cerebrum or regional lymph nodes. Conidiobolomycosis in animals most commonly occurs as nasopharyngeal disease in horses 4,8 and sheep, [9][10][11] and as nasopharyngeal disease associated with palatal ulcers, 3,12,13 or cutaneous disease in dogs. 13 Conidiobolomycosis has also been described as a cause of nasopharyngeal disease in llamas 14,15 and deer.…”