Fungi in the respiratory tract of horses with recurrent airway obstruction

Abstract

This study aims to compare the concentration of viable fungi, especially those of the genus Aspergillus in the respiratory tract of stabled horses with and without Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO). Thirty two housed horses from four equestrian centers in Brazil were included in the study. These animals were submitted to clinical examination and to a respiratory sample collection. They were categorized into two groups: healthy and RAO-affected horses. Samples obtained by tracheobronchial washes were evaluated for fungal microscopy, quantitative culture and Aspergillus spp. quantification. Eighteen healthy and 14 RAO-affected horses were studied. Fungi were more frequently recovered in the RAO group, in comparison to controls, for both fungal microscopy (P<0.0001), fungal culture (P<0.0001) and Aspergillus spp. quantitative culture (p=0.001). In conclusion, horses with RAO have significantly higher fungal load in the respiratory tract in comparison to healthy horses. The implications of these findings in terms of the pathogenesis of RAO deserve additional investigation.Keywords: Aspergillus, tracheobronchial washes, respiratory allergy RESUMO Este estudo objetivou comparar a concentração de fungos viáveis, especialmente do gênero Aspergillus, no trato respiratório de equinos estabulados com e sem obstrução recorrente das vias aéreas (ORVA

Equine asthma in Brazil – a scoping review

“…Of these, 6.7% were in the healthy group and 90.9% in the group of animals with asthma. Similarly, fungal concentration in tracheal lavage samples in CFU/mL differed significantly between groups (P < 0.001), averaging 5 CFU/mL in healthy animals and 310 CFU/mL in animals with asthma (Xavier et al, 2014).…”