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==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>]]

 

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, [[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.

Morbidity can be high when animals are frequently gathered together, for example, the ghari (cart) horses found in urban areas of Ethiopia such as Debre Zeit. Spontaneous resolution of disease after a prolonged time period sometimes occurs (Al-Ani, 1999).

Morbidity can be high when animals are frequently gathered together, for example, the ghari (cart) horses found in urban areas of Ethiopia such as Debre Zeit. Spontaneous resolution of disease after a prolonged time period sometimes occurs (Al-Ani, 1999).

==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).

Rare cases of infection in humans have been reported. Therefore, care should be taken when handling infected animals.

Rare cases of infection in humans have been reported. Therefore, care should be taken when handling infected animals.

Epizootic lymphangitis can resemble [[Glanders (Farcy) - Donkey|glanders]] caused by [[Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia species#Burkholderia mallei|''Burkholderia mallei'']], ulcerative lymphangitis caused by [[Corynebacterium species#Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis|''Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis'']] or sporotrichosis caused by [[Subcutaneous Mycoses#Sporotrichosis|Sporothrix schenckii]]. In some parts of Egypt '''lacrimal histoplasmosis''' is a common manifestation of the infection (Saleh, 1989; Heragy, 2003). The condition starts with slight conjunctivitis and epiphora. This progresses to blepharospasm and photophobia as the eyelids and lacrimal sac become severely inflamed. Chronic conditions may present with purulent nasal discharge from the affected nostril and fistulation of the lacrimal duct.

Epizootic lymphangitis can resemble [[Glanders (Farcy) - Donkey|glanders]] caused by [[Burkholderia mallei|''Burkholderia mallei'']], ulcerative lymphangitis caused by [[Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis|''Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis'']] or sporotrichosis caused by [[Subcutaneous Mycoses#Sporotrichosis|Sporothrix schenckii]]. In some parts of Egypt '''lacrimal histoplasmosis''' is a common manifestation of the infection (Saleh, 1989; Heragy, 2003). The condition starts with slight conjunctivitis and epiphora. This progresses to blepharospasm and photophobia as the eyelids and lacrimal sac become severely inflamed. Chronic conditions may present with purulent nasal discharge from the affected nostril and fistulation of the lacrimal duct.

==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

* Mesh face masks that are advocated for [[Spirurids - Donkey|habronemiasis]] may be useful in the lacrimal form

* Mesh face masks that are advocated for [[Spirurids - Donkey|habronemiasis]] may be useful in the lacrimal form

* Strict attention to hygiene. The organism can be destroyed by disinfectants such as 1% sodium hypochlorite, glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde and phenolics

* Strict attention to hygiene. The organism can be destroyed by disinfectants such as 1% sodium hypochlorite, glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde and phenolics

==References==

==References==

|linkpage =Fungal Skin Infections - Donkey

|linkpage =Fungal Skin Infections - Donkey

|linktext =Fungal Skin Infections - Donkey

|linktext =Fungal Skin Infections - Donkey

|rspace={{Donkey}}

|sublink1 = Exotic Infections - Donkey

|subtext1 = Exotic Infections - Donkey

|pagetype=Donkey

|pagetype=Donkey

}}

}}