Hyphomycosis

• Hyphomyces destruens

• Opportunistic infection
  • Associated with trauma

• Rare

• Caused by Penicillium, Beauveria, Acremonium, Fusarium, Paecilomyces

• Infects both animals and humans
  • Mainly affects horses

• Tropical and semi-tropical countries

• Progressive disease causing granulating and ulcerating lesions on the legs and lower body
  • Lesions grow rapidly
  • Cause extreme debility

• Occurs in water
  • Most often seen in ponies with access to ponds

• Chemotactically attracted to horse hair

• Does not respond well to treatment
  • Radical surgical excision the best method
  • Experiemental vaccination treatment is currently underway and has shown promising results