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Diagnosis and unsuccessful management of iatrogenic fungal septic arthritis caused by Wickerhamomyces anomalous (formerly Candida pelliculosa) and concurrent osteochondral lesion
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  • Michael Duggan,
  • James Gibbons,
  • Ursula Fogarty,
  • Henk Offereins ,
  • Warren Schofield
Michael Duggan
University College Dublin College of Agriculture Food Science and Veterinary Medicine

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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James Gibbons
Equine Research Center, Dublin, Ireland
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Ursula Fogarty
Equine Research Center, Dublin, Ireland
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Henk Offereins
Kenmare Veterinary Centre
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Warren Schofield
Lisadell Equine Hospital
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Abstract

Equine septic fungal arthritis is poorly documented in the literature. There is absence of efficacy and safety data for anti-fungal medications, highlighting the importance of documenting this case. A 15-year-old Irish sport horse gelding presented moderately lame at the walk on the left hindlimb 13 days after intra-articular medication of the left tarso-crural joint with triamcinolone and hyaluronic acid. Radiography revealed an osteochondral fragment at the distal intermediate ridge of the tibia and shallow subchondral bone defect on the medial trochlear ridge. Synoviocentesis yielded a turbid sample with an elevated total nucleated cell count (49x109cells/L; total neutrophil count of 62.8%). Arthroscopic lavage of the tarsocrural joint (TCJ) was performed. Ceftriaxone was administered and systemic antimicrobials initiated. The fungus Wickerhamomyces anomalus was identified on culture. The horse was subsequently intensively treated with antimicrobial and anti-fungal medications, both systemically and intra-articularly over the following 60 plus days. Multiple subsequent synovial cultures revealed the persistence of the fungal organism, until a negative culture on day 55. However, on day 113, a non-weight bearing lameness at trot was present, and a further positive synovial fungal culture. Radiographs revealed a lytic lesion at the distal tibia with marked progression. The horse was euthanised on day 126.
16 Oct 2022Submitted to Equine Veterinary Education
18 Oct 2022Submission Checks Completed
18 Oct 2022Assigned to Editor
31 Oct 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
16 Dec 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
22 Dec 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
21 Jan 20231st Revision Received
23 Jan 2023Submission Checks Completed
23 Jan 2023Assigned to Editor
31 Jan 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
21 Feb 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
27 Feb 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
11 Mar 20232nd Revision Received
13 Mar 2023Submission Checks Completed
13 Mar 2023Assigned to Editor
13 Mar 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
17 Mar 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
25 Mar 20233rd Revision Received
28 Mar 2023Submission Checks Completed
28 Mar 2023Assigned to Editor
28 Mar 2023Editorial Decision: Accept