A Review on Equine Sarcoid: Current Techniques Employed in Sciences for Diagnosis, Prevention and Control

Abstract

Equine sarcoids are the most common equine skin tumors distributed world-wide which affects horses, donkeys and mules. Bovine papillomavirus (BPV) is causally associated with equine sarcoid with genetic, fly vectors and skin trauma identified as potential predisposing factors for development of the disease. The methods of transmission are contamination of the environment with subsequent trauma; infection of the skin direct or indirect transmission from affected animals; biting, rubbing, fomites or management practices and face flies. Dermatophytis, chronic skin rubbing, equine papilomatosis, squamous cell carcinoma, fibroma, fibrosarcoma, melanoma and granulation tissue are the common differential diagnoses of equine sarcoids. Clinical examination, histopathology, detection of BPVDNA by PCR, electron microscope and immunohistochemistry are the diagnostic technique of equine sarcoid. The histopathological characteristics of sarcoids, found that the classic epithelial changes of hyperkeratosis, hyperplasia, elongated rete pegs and picket fence. Treatment of equine sarcoids are challenging for the veterinarians due to the variable clinical presentation of the lesions and the frequent local recurrences. Both surgical and non-surgical techniques are used for the treatment of equine sarcoids with variable success rates. None of the current treatment techniques for equine sarcoid have been proven to be 100% successful. Awareness enhancement to make equine owners, prevention of fly contact, use of breeding from those individuals that are ‘immune’, high genetic resistance, early diagnosis and treatment of any confirmed lesions are the most valuable prevention methods for equine sarcoids. The objectives of this paper is to review on equine sarcoid and to assess current techniques employed for diagnosis and prevention of equine sarcoid