Fungal infections in horses. Part I. Dermatomycoses and keratomycoses

Over the last two decades, the number of fungal and fungal-like diseases of animals in both, natural and controlled systems, has increased, most likely as a consequence of environmental changes. Horses may be affected by several fungal diseases, although only some of them, i.e., malassesiosis, dermatophytosis, pythiosis, and aspergillosis are well described. This article reviews the clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of superficial equine fungal infections, as a support to early diagnosis and application of targeted therapeutic and preventive strategies. Dermatomycoses or superficial mycoses, are caused by facultative or opportunistic pathogens, responsible for mild inflammatory, usually benign infections, associated with underlying immunocompromised conditions in the host. Yeasts, belonging to the genus Malassezia and dermatophytes, are the most frequently agents of superficial mycoses in horses. In turn, keratomycosis is a fungal infection of the corneal stroma, mainly caused by commensal fungi of the cornea and conjunctiva. Horses are prone to develop keratomycosis, due to the innate immunoprotective deficiencies of the tear film and the prominent conformation of the ocular globe, together with the usually high concentration of fungi in stables. In conclusion, this review of scientific data clearly indicates the need for a broader description of dermatomycosis cases in horses and indepth research in the diagnosis and therapy of these infections