Systemic aspergillosis associated with acute enterocolitis in foals.

Authors :: 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
Source :: Journal de mycologie medicale [J Mycol Med] 2023 Nov; Vol. 33 (4), pp. 101433. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Sep 02.
Publication Year :: 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.<br />Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interests All authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest pertaining to this work.<br /> (Copyright © 2023 SFMM. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)