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Imposimato I, Mariella J, Freccero F, Gialletti R. Corneal Ulcers in Critically Ill Foals in Intensive Care: Case Series of Standard Treatment and Corneal Cross-Linking. J Equine Vet Sci 2023; 130:104910. [PMID: 37625627 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Riboflavin/UV-A corneal cross-linking (CXL) has been applied to treat corneal ulcers in adult horses, but its use in critically ill neonatal foals has not been described. Five cases of hospitalized, critically ill neonatal foals that were in intensive care with corneal ulcers, the ophthalmic treatment, and their outcome up to 1 year are described. A single treatment of CXL phototherapy was performed in three of five foals (five eyes). The application of a riboflavin ophthalmic solution for 20 minutes was followed by the UV-A light irradiation at 30 mW/cm2 for 3 minutes. Topical antibiotic administration was withdrawn after CXL. Two other foals received standard treatment. Descriptions of ocular lesions, fluorescein staining, and photographic documentation were recorded. The visual outcome, corneal transparency, and aesthetics, as well as healing time were evaluated in the follow-up. The frequency of topical medication considerably decreased in cases treated with CXL. Corneal opacity and pain decreased within 3 days following CXL. In the foals treated with CXL, the ulcers healed (fluorescein stain negative) in 24, 28, and 35 days after the onset of clinical signs and 10, 15, and 21, after CXL. No fibrosis or corneal scars were found in the cases treated with CXL. The two standard treatment cases healed after 26 and 36 days respectively. Corneal cross-linking may be an additional or alternative treatment of corneal ulcers in critically ill neonatal foals and may reduce the use of antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Imposimato
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Jole Mariella
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Freccero
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Rodolfo Gialletti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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Tahoun A, Elnafarawy HK, Elmahallawy EK, Abdelhady A, Rizk AM, El-Sharkawy H, Youssef MA, El-Khodery S, Ibrahim HMM. Epidemiological and Molecular Investigation of Ocular Fungal Infection in Equine from Egypt. Vet Sci 2020; 7:vetsci7030130. [PMID: 32911615 PMCID: PMC7558555 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci7030130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Diagnosis and treatment of ocular fungal infection in equine seems very challenging for owners and clinicians. The present study aimed to identify and characterize fungal species isolated from the eyes of clinically healthy and diseased equines (N = 100) from Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt. The work also involved morphological and molecular characterization of the major fungal species. In addition, correlations between the occurrence of isolated fungi and some of the potential risk factors were also investigated. Interestingly, the prevalence rate of ocular mycosis in all examined equines in the study was 28% and there were major clinical signs associated with ocular fungal infection. Moreover, the identified fungal species included Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger, Penicillium spp., Mucor spp., and Alternari spp. with a corresponding prevalence rate of 63.9%, 27.8%, 15.3%, 18.1%, 13.9%, and 4.2%, respectively, in healthy equine eyes, while their prevalence in diseased equine eyes was 57.1%, 32.1%, 21.4%, 7.1%, 3.6%, and 0%. Furthermore, a statistical significant association (p < 0.05) was found between the frequency of isolation of A. fumigatus and Penicillium and several risk factors (breed, sex, and ground type), while the remaining risk factors and occurrence of fungi were not statistically correlated. A subset of the Aspergillus species samples positive by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were sequenced and their phylogenetic analysis identified three species of Aspergillus. Taken together, our study provides novel data related to the occurrence of ocular mycosis in equine in Egypt. Given the zoonotic potential of some identified fungi, our data may be helpful for implementation of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for combating this sight-threatening infection in equine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amin Tahoun
- Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelshkh University, Kafrelsheikh 33511, Egypt;
| | - Helmy K. Elnafarawy
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt; (H.K.E.); (M.A.Y.); (S.E.-K.)
| | - Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy
- Department of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag 82524, Egypt
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leon, s/n, 24071 León, Spain
- Correspondence: (E.K.E.); (H.M.M.I.)
| | - Abdelhamed Abdelhady
- Parasitology and Animal Diseases Department, National Research center, Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt;
| | - Amira M. Rizk
- Department of Bacteriology, Mycology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Benha 13518, Egypt;
| | - Hanem El-Sharkawy
- Department of Poultry and Rabbit Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh 33511, Egypt;
| | - Mohamed A. Youssef
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt; (H.K.E.); (M.A.Y.); (S.E.-K.)
| | - Sabry El-Khodery
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt; (H.K.E.); (M.A.Y.); (S.E.-K.)
| | - Hussam M. M. Ibrahim
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt; (H.K.E.); (M.A.Y.); (S.E.-K.)
- Correspondence: (E.K.E.); (H.M.M.I.)
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Martabano BB, Linde Henriksen M, Powell CC. Prevalence of equine ulcerative keratomycosis in Colorado and association of environmental factors: A retrospective and descriptive study (2002–2017). EQUINE VET EDUC 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/eve.13200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- B. B. Martabano
- Department of Clinical Sciences Comparative Ophthalmology College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado USA
| | - M. Linde Henriksen
- Department of Clinical Sciences Comparative Ophthalmology College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado USA
| | - C. C. Powell
- Department of Clinical Sciences Comparative Ophthalmology College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado USA
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Mustikka MP, Grönthal TSC, Pietilä EM. Equine infectious keratitis in Finland: Associated microbial isolates and susceptibility profiles. Vet Ophthalmol 2019; 23:148-159. [PMID: 31364808 PMCID: PMC7004187 DOI: 10.1111/vop.12701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To retrospectively describe laboratory findings, treatment, and outcome associated with equine infectious keratitis in Finland. ANIMALS AND PROCEDURES Medical records of horses diagnosed with infectious keratitis in University of Helsinki Equine Hospital from January 2007 to June 2018 were reviewed. RESULTS Forty-seven cases were included. Keratomycosis was diagnosed in 27 eyes and bacterial keratitis in 20 eyes. Aspergillus flavus was the most frequent fungal isolate (9/17, 53%), followed by Cylindrocarpon sp. (3/17, 18%) and Aspergillus fumigatus (2/17, 12%). Susceptibility was tested for 10/11 Aspergillus sp. isolates; all were susceptible to voriconazole while only two were susceptible to amphotericin B. Cylindrocarpon sp. isolates were resistant to both agents. Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus was the most frequent bacterial isolate (9/19, 47%), followed by other streptococci (4/19, 21%). All 13 Streptococcus sp. isolates were susceptible to penicillin, and all tested isolates (n = 11) were also susceptible to chloramphenicol. Mean duration of medical treatment was longer in fungal keratitis (38 days) than in bacterial keratitis (25 days) (P < .001). Twenty-six of the eyes underwent globe-sparing surgery in addition to medical therapy. Recovery was achieved in 66% (31/47) of all cases and in 59% (16/27) and 75% (15/20) (P = .264) of cases with keratomycosis and bacterial keratitis, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Although Aspergillus sp. and S zooepidemicus were the most frequently encountered isolates, cytology, culture, and susceptibility testing are essential to differentiate bacterial and fungal keratitis and guide the clinician to choose the most efficient treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minna P Mustikka
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Thomas S C Grönthal
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Elina M Pietilä
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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