EPIZOOTIC LYMPHANGITIS is a chronic, contagious fungal disease that affects horses, donkeys, and mules. It is characterized by suppurative lymphangitis, lymphadenitis, and skin ulcers. The causative agent is the fungus Histoplasma farciminosum. The disease spreads through direct contact with infected animals or contact with contaminated soil or flies. Clinical signs include spreading skin lesions and lymphangitis along the limbs. Diagnosis involves identifying the fungus microscopically or through culture. Treatment has limited success. Control relies on identifying and destroying infected animals, quarantining other animals, and disinfecting equipment.

1. EPIZOOTIC LYMPHANGITIS
(PSEUDOGLANDERS, EQUINE
BLASTOMYCOSIS, EQUINE
HISTOPLASMOSIS)

2. Chronic contagious zoonotic
disease infected horse
characterized by supurative
lymphangitis and
lymphadenitis and ulcers
on skin ,there is also
keratitis and or pneumonia.

3. ETIOLOGY

4. The cause is a fungus,
Histoplasma farciminosum
The disease is listed
by the OlE, to which
it is notifiable.

5. EPIDEMIOLOGY

6. The disease occurs as outbreaks in
horses, donkeys and mules in parts of
Iran, Asia, India, and Northern Africa .
Most outbreaks occur in autumn and
winter.The disease was detected in 1.0
to 19% of horses in Ethiopia over a 6-
month period The mortality rate is 10-
15 %, but the course is prolonged.
Cattle and camels are rarely affected.

7. Sourse of infection
1-infected animals.
2-soil during saprophytic stage.
3-Biting fly.
Transmition
1-direct contact with infected animals.
2-contact with the soil.
3-skin abrasion.
4-fly.

8. PATHOGENESIS
After gaining entry through wounds,
the fungus invades subcutaneous
tissue, sets up a local granuloma or
ulcer and spreads along the lymphatic
vessels. The ocular form of the disease
results from inoculation of the
organism into the eye, likely by biting
flies.

9. CLINICAL FINDINGS

10. In General:-
Ulcerating.
Suppurative
pyogranulomatous dermatitis.
in most cases, lymphangitis .
An ocular form of the disease is
characterized by an ulcerating
conjunctivitis.

11. 1-In the cutaneous form of the disease an
indolent ulcer develops at the portal of entry,
making its appearance several weeks to 3
months after infection occurs.
2-A spreading dermatitis and lymphangitis,
evident as corded lymphatics with intermittent
nodules, develops.
3-Nodules rupture, discharging a thick creamy
pus.
4-Local lymph nodes also enlarge and can
rupture.

12. 5-Thickening of the skin in the area and general
swelling of the whole limb are common. The lesions
are quite painless.
The lesions usually develop on the limbs, particularly
about the hocks, but may also be present on the back,
sides, neck, vulva and scrotum.
6-Occasionally lesions appear on the nasal mucosa
just inside the nostrils and do not involve the nasal
septum.
The disease is chronic, persisting for 3-12 months.
Spontaneous recovery occurs and immunity is solid
after an attack but many animals are destroyed
because of the chronic nature of the disease.

13. D.Diagnosis
1-Cutanous Glander
2-Ulcerative Lymphadenitis
3-Sporotrichosis.

14. Diagnosis
1-Clinical signs.
2- Gram-positive, yeast-like cells, with a characteristic double-walled
capsule, are easily found in discharges. The organisms
are located both extracellularly and intracellularly in giant
cells and macrophages.
The agent can be cultured on special media but the fungus
dies quickly in specimens unless these are collected in
antibiotic solutions, refrigerated and cultured promptly. The
specimen should be collected into a solution containing 500
units/mL penicillin.
3- The mallein test is negative
4- serological tests, including a fluorescent antibody test.

15. TREATMENT
Many treatments have been tried, largely
without success.
1- Amphotericin at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg
body weight every 48 hours for 3
treatments.
.
2-Sodium iodide is administered as a 10%
solution at a dose of 1 mL per 5 kg
intravenously once weekly for 4 weeks.

16. CONTROL

17. 1-slaughter of affected animals.
2- In enzootic areas severe cases should be
destroyed and less severe cases kept in strict
quarantine
while undergoing treatment.
3-All infected bedding, harness and utensils
should be destroyed or vigorously disinfected.
Formalinized aluminum hydroxide adsorbed
4-heat-attenuated vaccines have been widely
used, apparently with success.