First Case Report of Aspergillary Rhinopharyngitis in a Foal From Chile.
Authors: Thomson Pamela, Toro Javiera, Lara Felipe, Hernández Diego, Aros Karina, Valenzuela-Lopez Nicomedes
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Aspergillary Rhinopharyngitis in an Equine Case Fungal respiratory infections in horses remain diagnostically challenging and geographically variable in prevalence, making individual case reports valuable for building clinical awareness. This Chilean research team documented the first confirmed case of *Aspergillus fumigatus* rhinopharyngitis in a purebred horse, identified through transtracheal aspirate samples analysed via mycological culture and molecular diagnostics. The affected foal presented with bilateral mucopurulent nasal discharge, mucosal inflammation of the nasal passages, eyes and ears, alongside reduced appetite and general malaise—clinical signs that could easily be mistaken for bacterial rhinitis or other upper respiratory conditions. Following antifungal susceptibility testing, oral itraconazole treatment administered for 45 days resulted in complete resolution of clinical signs, demonstrating the importance of culture-based diagnosis and targeted antimycotic therapy rather than empirical antibiotics. For equine practitioners, this case underscores that persistent unilateral or bilateral nasal discharge with concurrent mucosal inflammation warrants mycological investigation, particularly in endemic regions or horses with possible hay/grain mould exposure, and highlights itraconazole as a clinically effective option when *Aspergillus* species are confirmed.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Aspergillus fumigatus should be considered in differential diagnosis for horses with chronic rhinopharyngitis and mucopurulent discharge, particularly in cases unresponsive to antimicrobial therapy
- •Transtracheal aspirate sampling combined with mycological and molecular analysis is effective for confirming fungal rhinopharyngitis diagnosis
- •Oral itraconazole is a viable treatment option for equine aspergillary rhinopharyngitis when antifungal susceptibility testing guides drug selection
Key Findings
- •First documented case of Aspergillus fumigatus rhinopharyngitis in a Chilean purebred horse
- •Clinical presentation included bilateral mucopurulent nasal discharge, inflammation of nasal/ocular/ear mucosa, and decreased appetite
- •Diagnosis confirmed via mycological and molecular analysis of transtracheal aspirate sample
- •Oral itraconazole treatment for 45 days achieved complete clinical resolution with no residual signs