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Epizootic Lymphangitis/Histoplasmosis - Donkey (view source)
Revision as of 11:39, 11 March 2010
, 11:39, 11 March 2010no edit summary
==Introduction==
==Introduction==
[[Image:Histoplasmosis donkey.jpg|right|thumb|200px|<small><center>A typical conjunctival form of histoplasmosis. Note the surrounding periorbital skin has been affected markedly by continued rubbing and exudate. (Image courtesy of [http://drupal.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk The Donkey Sanctuary])</center></small>]]
[[Image:Histoplasmosis donkey.jpg|right|thumb|200px|<small><center>A typical conjunctival form of histoplasmosis. Note the surrounding periorbital skin has been affected markedly by continued rubbing and exudate. (Image courtesy of [http://drupal.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk The Donkey Sanctuary])</center></small>]]
[[Image:Cutaneous lesions epizootic lymhangitis.jpg|right|thumb|250px|<small><center>A typical case of cutaneous lesions. This donkey was treated at the DHWP clinic in Debre Zeit, Ethiopia (photograph courtesy of the DHWP).</center></small>]]
[[Image:Lacrimal histoplasmosis.jpg|right|thumb|250px|<small><center>Case of lacrimal histoplasmosis found in upper Egypt. Granulomatous histoplasmic growth from the medial canthus may completely obstruct the eye (photograph courtesy of Dr Amin Heragy, The Brooke, Egypt).</center></small>]]
[[Image:Purulent exudate smear epizootic lymhangitis.jpg|right|thumb|250px|<small><center>Smear from purulent exudate demonstrating oval-shaped bodies of ''H. cap. var. farciminosum'' found both (a) extra- and (b) intra-cellular.(Image courtesy of [http://drupal.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk The Donkey Sanctuary])</center></small>]]
Epizootic lymphangitis is a '''contagious, chronic disease''' caused by the dimorphic fungus, [[Systemic Mycoses#Histoplasmosis|''Histoplasma capsulatum var. farciminosum'']]. This disease affects equidae, and occasionally camels, cattle and humans. Epizootic lymphangitis is endemic in parts of Africa, the Middle East and Asia and is believed to be spread by flies feeding on an open wound or from soil contamination of wounds. However, the exact mode of transmission has yet to be fully determined.
Epizootic lymphangitis is a '''contagious, chronic disease''' caused by the dimorphic fungus, [[Systemic Mycoses#Histoplasmosis|''Histoplasma capsulatum var. farciminosum'']]. This disease affects equidae, and occasionally camels, cattle and humans. Epizootic lymphangitis is endemic in parts of Africa, the Middle East and Asia and is believed to be spread by flies feeding on an open wound or from soil contamination of wounds. However, the exact mode of transmission has yet to be fully determined.
==Clinical features==
==Clinical features==
The condition is largely restricted to horses. However, the Donkey Health and Welfare Project (DHWP) (<small>A project collaboration supported by [http://drupal.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk The Donkey Sanctuary] and based in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia in Ethiopia </small>) treated 34 cases of epizootic
The condition is largely restricted to horses. However, the Donkey Health and Welfare Project (DHWP) (<small>A project collaboration supported by [http://drupal.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk The Donkey Sanctuary] and based in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia in Ethiopia </small>) treated 34 cases of epizootic
lymphangitis in donkeys over an 18-month period. These were predominantly of the cutaneous form. An increased incidence of disease in donkeys has paralleled that in horses and mules (B. Endebu, personal communication).
lymphangitis in donkeys over an 18-month period. These were predominantly of the cutaneous form. An increased incidence of disease in donkeys has paralleled that in horses and mules (B. Endebu, personal communication).
==Clinical signs==
==Clinical signs==
This condition follows a similar pattern in donkeys to that described in the horse. In both, cutaneous and ocular, forms it presents as an '''ulcerating, pyo-granulomatous dermatitis''', tracking '''along lymphatic vessels''' which become extensively inflamed. The resulting response causes '''local exudation and thickening'''. These lesions are evident mainly in the '''legs, neck and chest'''. The condition can also occur as a '''multifocal pneumonia''' and as an ocular form with '''keratitis and conjunctivitis'''.
This condition follows a similar pattern in donkeys to that described in the horse. In both, cutaneous and ocular, forms it presents as an '''ulcerating, pyo-granulomatous dermatitis''', tracking '''along lymphatic vessels''' which become extensively inflamed. The resulting response causes '''local exudation and thickening'''. These lesions are evident mainly in the '''legs, neck and chest'''. The condition can also occur as a '''multifocal pneumonia''' and as an ocular form with '''keratitis and conjunctivitis'''.
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
* Clinical signs
* Clinical signs
* Microscopic examination. Typical gram-positive, double-contoured, ovoid cells in macrophages and giant cells collected from lesion discharge
* Microscopic examination. Typical gram-positive, double-contoured, ovoid cells in macrophages and giant cells collected from lesion discharge