Epizootic Lymphangitis

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  • Histoplasma capsulatum var. farciminosum
    • Similar to H. capsulatum
  • Occurs in horses, donkeys and mules
  • 90% occurs in horses
  • Occurs in Europe, Africa and Asia
    • Eradicated from the UK but is still under the notifiable Diseases of Animals Act
  • Chronic disease
  • Highly contageous
    • Spread by direct contact or indirect, e.g. through infected grooming equipment, biting flies
  • Once established in a population it is very difficult to eradicate
    • Long incubation peroid
    • New cases can develop weeks or months after the infection appears to have been eradicated
  • Causes ulcerative, nodular lesions
    • Dissemination occurs
    • Pulmonary disease can occur
    • Ulcers rupture, discharging blood-stained pus for several weeks
  • Oval or pear shaped cells
    • Double contoured
    • Dimorphic
      • Grows in the yeast phase at 37°C and in the mycelial phase at room temperature
    • Growth is slow, taking up to 8 weeks
    • At room temperature, thick-walled chlamydospores can be seen
    • Orgnaisms can usually be seen in swollen leucocytes
  • Can be stained using Gram, Giemsa, H & E and 10% Methylene Blue followed by Carbol Fuchsin
  • Enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay can be used to detect the fungi
  • Life-long immunity follows recovery from infection
  • Treatment included potassium iodide, hamycin and Amphotericin B
    • Vaccination has also proven to be effective
    • Injection of hyperimmune serum around skin lesions has been proven to be effective