Cold atmospheric plasma-aerosol treatment of equine dermatophytosis: a novel therapeutic approach.

Summary

# Editorial Summary: Cold Atmospheric Plasma-Aerosol for Equine Dermatophytosis Dermatophytosis remains a persistent clinical challenge in equine practice, particularly in young and immunocompromised horses, with conventional antifungal therapies often requiring extended treatment periods and carrying risks of systemic side effects. Researchers evaluated cold atmospheric plasma-aerosol (CAP-A)—a novel non-thermal technology that generates reactive oxygen and nitrogen species—as a standalone topical intervention through a detailed case report examining clinical efficacy and safety. The CAP-A treatment demonstrated promising results in resolving fungal infections, with measurable improvements in lesion clearance and dermatological signs across the treatment period. This approach represents a potentially valuable alternative for practitioners seeking to minimise systemic drug exposure whilst maintaining efficacy, though the case report format indicates further comparative studies are needed to establish CAP-A's clinical utility relative to established protocols and determine optimal treatment parameters. For farriers and equine professionals involved in patient management, this emerging technology warrants monitoring as evidence accumulates, particularly for cases where traditional antifungals are contraindicated or where owners prefer topical-only interventions.

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Key Findings

• •Cold atmospheric plasma-aerosol (CAP-A) was evaluated as a novel standalone treatment for equine dermatophytosis
• •CAP-A treatment represents a potential alternative to traditional antifungal medications with associated side effects

Conditions Studied

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