title: Experimental induction of mycotic plaques in the guttural pouches of horses.
abstract: Guttural pouch mycosis (GPM) is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition in horses. GPM is caused by a fungal invasion into the mucosal lining of the guttural pouches and, frequently, the associated neurovascular structures. Although several species of fungi have been associated with this disease, Aspergillus spp. appear to be the most common isolated from the guttural pouches. However, it remains unclear which are the predisposing factors leading to the development of the infection. The objectives of the present study were to experimentally reproduce an infection by Aspergillus fumigatus and to follow the natural evolution of the mycosis. Eight guttural pouches from four horses were experimentally infected by endoscopy-guided intrapouch inoculation of A. fumigatus culture. Horses were monitored for clinical signs and development of fungal plaques through endoscopic examination. Mycotic lesions were observed in all the horses and a spontaneous regression was observed within 15-28 days. No development of clinical signs was noticed. In conclusion, we were able to induce the development of mycotic lesions and to observe a natural regression of these lesions without clinical signs.
authors.affiliation: Université de Lyon, Vetagro-sup, Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, Equine Department, Marcy l'Etoile, France.
authors.forename: Maria Carla
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Greppi
authors.affiliation: UPE, Ecole nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, EA 7380 Dynamyc, EnvA, UPEC, Maisons-Alfort, France.
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Guillot
authors.affiliation: UPE, Ecole nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, EA 7380 Dynamyc, EnvA, UPEC, Maisons-Alfort, France.
authors.forename: Elise
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Melloul
authors.affiliation: Université de Lyon, Vetagro-sup, Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, Parasitology, Marcy l'Etoile, France.
authors.forename: Gilles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bourdoiseau
authors.affiliation: Université de Lyon, Vetagro-sup, Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, Equine Department, Marcy l'Etoile, France.
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Lepage
authors.affiliation: Université de Lyon, Vetagro-sup, Campus Vétérinaire de Lyon, Equine Department, Marcy l'Etoile, France.|UMR754 INRA Université Lyon 1, "Rétrovirus et Pathologie Comparée," Equipe "Rétrovirus, évolution et cancer," Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Jean-Luc
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Cadoré
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus / Q000254:growth & development*; D058345:Asymptomatic Infections; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male
keywords: Aspergillus; experimental infection; guttural pouch; horse