Ceratomicose ulcerativa por aspergillus spp. em equino: relato de caso

Abstract

Fungal ulcerative keratitis or ulcerative keratomycosis consists of the loss of the corneal epithelium, together with greater or lesser stromal exposure and the presence of a mycotic agent, which can be primary or secondary to trauma to the cornea. Some of the clinical signs expressed are caused by intense pain, such as epiphora, miosis, blepharospasm and photophobia. Other clinical signs are ocular discharge, corneal edema and neovascularization, as well as ulceration with or without stromal liquefaction, fungal plaques and stromal abscess. Diagnosis is based on a complete ophthalmological examination, including the use of the fluorescein test, cytology, culture or PCR from a corneal smear, or histological examination of the cornea. Appropriate and early treatment is directly related to a better prognosis. The premise of treatment is to eliminate the agent causing the lesion, control pain and provide corneal healing. The aim of this study is to report the clinical case of a horse treated at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Paraíba, diagnosed by means of corneal cytology and fungal culture with ulcerative keratomycosis caused by Aspergillus spp. and whose drug therapy included the use of homemade ketoconazole eye drops and ozonized sunflower oil. It also aims to provide a review of the literature on this clinical condition.