Abstract
Simple SummaryThe study describes a rare case of generalized Geotrichum SPP dermatitis in a horse. A saddle horse showed well-circumscribed areas of non-pruritic alopecia and the owner, suspecting allergic skin disease, commenced a three-week course of corticosteroids. Clinical signs progressed and a veterinarian was called. At veterinary examination, the horse was lethargic and pyretic with easily epilated hairs and hind limb swelling. Diagnostic procedures included collection and analyses of blood, hair and skin cytology, and biopsy. Geotrichum candidum was isolated and the horse was successfully treated with an antifungal solution and antioxidants. This study may be useful for owners and veterinarians because it describes in detail clinical signs, diagnostic procedures, and treatment of a rare case of generalized Geotrichum infection.A rare case of Geotrichum spp. dermatitis in a horse is presented. After unrelated, previous surgery and antibiotic treatment, a saddle horse showed well-circumscribed areas of non-pruritic alopecia. Suspecting allergic skin disease, the horse was treated with corticosteroids. The skin lesion spread, and a second veterinarian was consulted. At clinical examination, the horse was lethargic, pyretic and hair was shedding/easily epilated over the head, neck, shoulders, and legs and the hind legs were swollen. Blood analysis revealed mild leucocytosis and hyperglobulinemia. Hair, skin scraping, and skin biopsy ruled out parasites and bacteria; cytology identified yeast-like structures with hyphae or pseudohyphae. Geotrichum candidum was isolated on culture. Treatment consisted of stable disinfection, topical application of an antifungal solution, vitamins C and E supplementation and allowing the horse to graze in sunlight for at least 6 h/day. At 3-weeks follow-up, the horse had gained weight, alopecia was decreased, and all other clinical parameters were normal. Antifungal treatment was continued twice a week for three months. This study suggests Geotrichum candidum may cause skin lesions in horses after long-term use of corticosteroids or antibiotics. To avoid unnecessary and prolonged suffering in cases of dermatitis, veterinarians should be promptly consulted, appropriate diagnostic procedures conducted, so that a definitive diagnosis can be reached, and an appropriate treatment regimen implemented.
Highlights
Skin disease can adversely affect the health and welfare of horses, and disease can be exacerbated by delays in diagnosis and commencement of suitable treatment regimens, not helped by clinical signs often being similar despite causes being different [1]
Infectious skin disease can be caused by bacteria, parasites, and fungi [2]
The Blood cell counts (BCC) parameters were within the normal range, apart from a minimal increase in leucocytes due to neutrophilia (Table 1)
Summary
Skin disease can adversely affect the health and welfare of horses, and disease can be exacerbated by delays in diagnosis and commencement of suitable treatment regimens, not helped by clinical signs often being similar despite causes being different (infectious versus non-infectious) [1]. Skin diseases caused by fungi are called mycoses and can be categorized as dermatophytosis and dermatomycosis. Dermatomycoses are fungal infections of hair, claw, or skin caused by non-dermatophyte fungi, not classified in the aforementioned genera [3]. Equine fungal diseases can be classified into superficial, cutaneous, subcutaneous, and deep mycoses [4]. Dermatophytoses are superficial, cutaneous mycoses caused by dermatophytes and these diseases are considered as zoonoses. In a study by Figueredo et al (2011) [6], 28.1% of the horses with a suspected fungal infection, was due to Geotrichum candidum. Those horses showed dry, erythematous, well defined circular alopecia in 92% of the cases and more rarely, desquamation and pruritus. Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the hoof horn, commonly secondary to deterioration and disruption of the horn wall integrity [7] often due to Scedosporium spp., Trichophyton spp. and Scopulariopsis brevicaulis [8,9]
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