MYCOTIC DISEASES

The fungal diseases are divided into three categories including: Histoplasma could be stained by:-
 The cutaneous or superficial mycosis Gomori Methenamine Silver Stain (GMS)
 The subcutaneous mycosis It used for staining the wall of the yeast that appeared black or dark brown in colour with green colorations of the surrounding
 Systemic mycosis tissue
Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS):
Used for detection of glycogen in the wall the yeast that appeared pink to red purple

Aspergillosis Histoplasmosis
Respiratory Histoplasmosis Ocular Histoplasmosis
(Deep or Systemic mycosis) Or Epizootic Lymphangitis Or Pseudoglanders

Definition
It is a mycotic disease of animals and birds caused by many It is a chronic cutaneo-lymphatic, systemic mycotic disease 1. Characterized by lesions which are mostly confined to the upper 1. This form occurs in the medial canthus of the eye,
species of aspergillus. affecting mainly horses, mules and very rarely donkeys. respiratory tract. and mostly seen in donkeys and rare in horses
Characterized by: Characterized by: 2. This form usually occurs as a late development in the cutaneous 2. The ophthalmic form of the disease is less frequent.
Grayish-white nodules. 1. Inflammation of superficial lymph vessels and ulceration of form of the disease. 3. The infection rarely becomes generalized.
the skin. 3. On the nasal mucosa, the lesions begin as yellowish papules or 4. Infection may occur as conjunctivitis or a naso-
2. Cord like appearance of S/C lymphatics especially in limbs, nodules. lachrymal infection.
neck and chest. 5. Initial infection is characterized by
3. Formation of cutaneous pyogranuloma. a. A watery discharge from one or both eyes.
Histoplasmosis can be grouped into four different forms: b. Some swelling of the eyelids.
a. Cutaneous. Followed by
b. Respiratory. c. The development of papules and ulcerating
c. Ocular. button-like growths on the conjunctiva and/or
d. Asymptomatic carriers. on the nictitating membrane.

Aetiology
Aspergillus fumigatus Histoplasma Farciminosum
 Responsible for most infections among animals and birds and 1. It’s yeast form appears in pus as a double-contoured oval or
even in human causing brooder pneumonia. ovoid body, measuring 2.53.5 µm by 3-4 µm
 Other species of aspergillus could be included such as A. 2. The organism is highly resistant to the effects of physical and
flavus and A. niger which could produce disease. chemical agents and can survive for at least a month in the
dust of stables.
3. H. farciminosum may survive for up to ten weeks in non-sterile
water at 26°C.

Pathogenesis
Mode of infection: Mode of infection: Mode of infection:
Aspergillosis mostly occur through the respiratory route through 1. Via wound infection. 1. Inhalation as the causative agent get entrance to the blood
inhalation of fungal spores which mostly present in moldy litter 2. Inhalation of infective stage. stream via the respiratory tract and consequently distributed to
and feed . different organs.
3. Blood sucking insects.
2. Or through Ingestion to the intestine only.

Clinical Symptoms
Are Non Specific as
1. Depression.
2. Fever.
3. Anorexia, diarrhea, colic.
4. Respiratory manifestations, rhinitis, death due to septicemia.
5. Lameness.

Ce: Mustafa Abo ElEnein, CPT. PATHOLOGY D SPECIAL; VIRAL & MYCOTIC DISEASES | 1
 Aspergillosis
(Deep or Systemic mycosis)
1. The most common mycotic lesions caused by aspergillosis in
various body organs represented mainly in grayish-white
nodules of 1-10 mm in diameter with hyperemic rim.
2. These nodules mostly embedded in pulmonary tissue.
3. The cut surface revealed dry grayish white surface.
4. The infection could be occurred systemically and
consequently the lesions seen in various organs such as liver,
heart, spleen, lung brain and even in the eyes.
1. Aspergillus granuloma could be seen in various organs.
2. This granuloma formed from central caseated substances
which appeared as finely granular eosinophilic and
basophilic substances infiltrated with leukocytes mainly
macrophages, lymphocytes, giant cells and eosinophils with
the presence of fungal hyphae and spores scattered in the
granuloma either in the center or at their periphery.
Ce: Mustafa Abo ElEnein, CPT.
Histoplasmosis
Respiratory Histoplasmosis Ocular Histoplasmosis
Or Epizootic Lymphangitis Or Pseudoglanders
Macroscopical Findings
1. The most common gross findings initially manifested by 1. The lesions formed in the medial canthus of the eye in the form
formation of multiple nodules about 15-25 mm in diameter on of granuloma formation which take irregular shape and dark-
the skin of the face, head, neck and on the forelimbs. red in colour.
2. These nodules eventually rupture and discharging a light 2. In late stage of the disease the necrotic foci which appeared as
green blood-tinged exudates. grayish-white foci were noticed among the granuloma in
3. Progressive ulceration occurs (due to rupture of these addition to petechiae could also be seen.
nodules) with ulcers reaching up to 10 cm in diameter and 3. Lungs have firm grayish white nodules which could be rupture
appear circular with raised border and depressed center. leaving ulcer.
4. Inflammation of lymph vessels which characterized by 4. Nodular thickening of the intestinal wall especially in the lower
thickening of the lymph vessels due to nodules formation part of small intestine.
which undergo ulceration along lymphatic chains, this ulcer 5. Enlargement, firmness with grayish discoloration of the liver,
has a little tendency to heal these lesions are almost spleen and lymph nodes.
indistinguishable from those of farcy (cutaneous glanders).
6. Skin lesions: circumscribed nodular lesions in the skin of the face.
5. The lymph vessels are distended with coagulated serum and
pus.
Lymph nodes:
6. The regional lymph nodes are swollen and congested with
abscess formation.
Microscopical Findings
1. Chronic suppurative granulomatous inflammation that A. Lungs:
characterized by centrally suppurated mass that infiltrated 1. Fetal Lung: Diffuse interstitial infiltration by macrophages.
and surrounded by inflammatory cells mainly lymphocytes,
2. Adult horses: the lung showed multifocal to coalescing areas of
macrophage, giant cell and neutrophils.
granulomatous pneumonia.
2. The macrophage was distended with yeast like cell that
3. Multiple areas of necrosis were surrounded by macrophages
appear oval bodies about 3-4 micron in diameter with dark
and giant cells containing numerous Yeast-Like Organisms about
blue colorations and surrounded by clear unstained
3-4 µm in diameter with dark bluish staining centers and clear
mucopolysaccharide capsule.
peripheral hallow were seen.
4. Alveoli and airways are filled with innumerable macrophages,
which contain multiple intracytoplasmic round yeasts.
B. Liver:
1. Focal macrophage aggregations were demonstrated in the
portal areas of the liver.
2. Central necrotic foci surrounded with an area of
pyogranulomatous inflammation containing macrophage,
lymphocytes, plasma cell and giant cells were detected in the
hepatic parenchyma
3. Macrophages containing many intracellular yeast-like organisms
with clear peripheral hallow were seen.
4. Large, coalescent, loosely formed granulomas.
C. Spleen and Lymph Nodes:
Were also showed characteristic granulomatous reaction in
which intracellular yeast organisms were observed within
macrophages
D. Placenta:
Macrophages containing many intracellular yeast like organisms
were also seen in the placenta
E. Skin Lesions
Well-demarcated, ulcerated nodules on the ventral aspect of
the body.
PAS stain: Numerous round-oval yeasts.
PATHOLOGY D SPECIAL; VIRAL & MYCOTIC DISEASES | 2