Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Amphotericin B treatment of Candida arthritis in two horses.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1995
- Authors:
- Madison, J B et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
Two horses were diagnosed with a type of joint infection caused by a fungus called Candida. In one horse, the infection was caused by direct injury to the joint, while in the other, it likely spread through the bloodstream. Both horses received treatment with a medication called amphotericin B, given through an IV, along with draining the infected joint, and their infections cleared up. However, one horse had to be put to sleep later due to severe neck pain and worsening coordination issues. Overall, the treatment was effective in resolving the fungal arthritis in the horses, but one horse had a serious unrelated health issue.
Abstract
Infectious arthritis caused by Candida spp was diagnosed in 2 horses. Source of infection was by direct inoculation in 1 horse and was presumed to be hematogenous in the other horse. On microbial culturing of synovial fluid and synovial membrane specimens, the organisms were isolated in both horses. In both horses, the joint infections resolved after i.v. administration of amphotericin B and joint drainage; however, 1 horse was eventually euthanatized because of signs of cervical pain and progressively worsening ataxia. Fungal organisms isolated on microbial culturing of joint specimens in horses, although uncommon, should not be dismissed as contaminants, particularly if the same organism is recovered from more than 1 specimen. Successful resolution of fungal arthritis may be achieved with appropriate antifungal treatment, combined with joint drainage.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7751243/