AMPHOTERICIN-B TREATMENT OF CANDIDA-ARTHRITIS IN 2 HORSES

Infectious arthritis caused by Candida spp was diagnosed in 2 horses. Source of infection was by direct inoculation in 1 horse and was presu med to be hematogenous in the other horse. On microbial culturing of s ynovial fluid and synovial membrane specimens, the organisms were isol ated in both horses. In both horses, the joint infections resolved aft er IV administration of amphotericin B and joint drainage; however, 1 horse was eventually euthanatized because of signs of cervical pain an d progressively worsening ataxia. Fungal organisms isolated on microbi al culturing of joint specimens in horses, although uncommon, should n ot be dismissed as contaminants, particularly if the same organism is recovered from more than 1 specimen. Successful resolution of fungal a rthritis may be achieved with appropriate antifungal treatment, combin ed with joint drainage.