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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

Horse with skin lumps diagnosed with fungal granuloma

By Schwarz, Bianca et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2009·Department for Small Animals and Horses·View original on PubMed

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Original publication title: Cutaneous fungal granuloma in a horse.

Species:
horse

Plain-English summary

A 4-year-old horse had two lumps on the right side of its neck. A biopsy showed that these lumps were caused by a fungal infection, specifically a type of skin condition called cutaneous fungal granuloma. The horse was treated with fluconazole, an antifungal medication, for 10 days, and potassium iodide for 30 days, which helped reduce the size of the lumps. Afterward, the remaining lumps were removed with a laser, and they did not come back. This case highlights the importance of considering fungal infections when a horse has lumps under the skin.

Abstract

This case report describes a 4-year-old-horse with two cutaneous masses on the right crest of the neck. Biopsy revealed chronic nodular pyogranulomatous dermatitis and panniculitis. Giemsa and periodic acid-Schiff stains showed focal spherical, yeast-like organisms. A diagnosis of cutaneous fungal granuloma was made. The size of the masses decreased after oral treatment with fluconazole for 10 days combined with potassium iodide for 30 days, and the remaining masses were excised by laser. Lesions did not recur at the site. Fungal granuloma should be considered as a differential diagnosis in horses with cutaneous or subcutaneous nodules. A definitive diagnosis can only be achieved by histopathological examination or by culture of the affected tissue.

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Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19159411/