Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Prototheca species and Pithomyces chartarum as Causative Agents of Rhinitis and/or Sinusitis in Horses.
- Journal:
- Journal of comparative pathology
- Year:
- 2016
- Authors:
- Schöniger, S et al.
- Affiliation:
- Institute of Pathology · Germany
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
In a study, two older horses were found to have serious infections in their noses and sinuses caused by unusual organisms. A 25-year-old gelding had a type of rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal passages) linked to an algal infection, specifically a type called Prototheca zopfii. Meanwhile, a 23-year-old mare was diagnosed with necrotizing sinusitis (severe inflammation of the sinuses) that involved a fungus named Pithomyces chartarum. Both of these organisms are typically harmless but can cause illness in certain situations. The findings suggest that these types of infections, while rare, should be considered when diagnosing respiratory issues in horses.
Abstract
Pyogranulomatous rhinitis associated with an algal infection was diagnosed in a 25-year-old gelding and a 23-year-old mare had necrotizing sinusitis with intralesional algae and pigmented fungi. Algae were identified immunohistochemically in both cases as Prototheca spp. In the gelding, further characterization by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing revealed that the organism was Prototheca zopfii genotype 2. Fungi from the mare were identified as Pithomyces chartarum by molecular analysis. Prototheca species are achlorophyllous algae and P. chartarum represents a dematiaceous fungus; they are saprophytes and facultative pathogens. Prototheca spp. and P. chartarum should be considered as rare respiratory pathogens of horses.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27394651/