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Melo UP, Ferreira C, Barreto SWM. Pulmonary aspergillosis in a horse: a case report. BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE 2024; 46:e004723. [PMID: 38282831 PMCID: PMC10811723 DOI: 10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm004723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Respiratory diseases considerably affect equine athletes, being the second most common cause of poor performance. Among these diseases, fungal pneumonia in horses, caused specifically by Aspergillus spp., is relatively rare but potentially fatal. Fungal pneumonia typically affects horses exposed to fungal elements due to environmental factors, immunosuppression, or previous debilitating illnesses. Treatment is complex, with minimal success due to late diagnosis and serious concomitant underlying diseases. The choice of medication depends on the site of infection, the fungal species involved, and financial considerations. This report describes a case of pulmonary aspergillosis diagnosed in a 10-year-old castrated Quarter Horse. Transtracheal lavage revealed fungal elements characteristic of Aspergillus fumigatus. Treatment with dexamethasone, bromhexine hydrochloride, and itraconazole led to a successful recovery. The diagnosis of equine aspergillosis is challenging because its clinical signs overlap with other respiratory diseases. Fungal infections like aspergillosis are gaining attention in the equine health scene. Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial to avoid unnecessary use of antibiotics and prevent antimicrobial resistance. Furthermore, veterinarians and horse handlers must be aware of the risks of spreading aspergillosis to humans, emphasizing preventative measures and respiratory protection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cíntia Ferreira
- Veterinarian, DSc. Centro Universitário Mauricio de Nassau. Natal, RN, Brazil.
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Trápaga MR, Poester VR, Mousquer MA, de Souza RP, Rafael LA, Bonel J, Melo AM, Reis AG, de Faria RO, Stevens DA, Nogueira CEW, Xavier MO. Systemic aspergillosis associated with acute enterocolitis in foals. J Mycol Med 2023; 33:101433. [PMID: 37708695 DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2023.101433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Aspergillosis is an uncommon disease in horses, but it can be fatal. We report two cases of systemic aspergillosis in foals that occurred in a short period in the same region of southern Brazil. In addition, a literature review of similar cases was also performed. Risk factors were attributed to an immunodepression by primary enterocolitis and corticosteroid treatment, the damage in the epithelium, and multiple antibacterial treatments, which allowed local fungal proliferation, tissue invasion and spread of infection, leading to death. Since the antemortem diagnosis of aspergillosis in foals is difficult, our report alerts equine veterinarians regarding the importance of suspecting and investigating fungal co-infections in complicated cases of enterocolitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Rodrigues Trápaga
- Laboratory of Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande, 96200-400 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil; Post-graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande 96200-400 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
| | - Vanice Rodrigues Poester
- Laboratory of Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande, 96200-400 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil; Post-graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande 96200-400 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
| | - Mariana Andrade Mousquer
- Hospital of Veterinary Clinics, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Rafaela Pinto de Souza
- Hospital of Veterinary Clinics, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Leandro Américo Rafael
- Hospital of Veterinary Clinics, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Josiane Bonel
- Hospital of Veterinary Clinics, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Angelita Gomes Reis
- Hospital of Veterinary Clinics, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Renata Osorio de Faria
- Hospital of Veterinary Clinics, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - David A Stevens
- California Institute for Medical Research, San Jose, California, United States; Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University Medical School, Stanford, California, United States
| | | | - Melissa Orzechowski Xavier
- Laboratory of Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande, 96200-400 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil; Post-graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande 96200-400 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil.
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Current and Future Pathways in Aspergillus Diagnosis. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12020385. [PMID: 36830296 PMCID: PMC9952630 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12020385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus has been designated by the World Health Organization as a critical priority fungal pathogen. Some commercially available diagnostics for many forms of aspergillosis rely on fungal metabolites. These encompass intracellular molecules, cell wall components, and extracellular secretomes. This review summarizes the shortcomings of antibody tests compared to tests of fungal products in body fluids and highlights the application of β-d-glucan, galactomannan, and pentraxin 3 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids. We also discuss the detection of nucleic acids and next-generation sequencing, along with newer studies on Aspergillus metallophores.
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