Equine pythiosis in Costa Rica: report of 39 cases
Research article published in Mycopathologia (1986)
Abstract
Thirty-nine pythiosis equine cases, were studied at the Veterinary Medicine School of the National University of Costa Rica, between 1981 and 1984. Lesions were located in different parts of their anatomy: anterior and posterior extremities, abdomen, thorax, breast and mammary gland, and were characterized by their tumoral appearance with necrotic tissue in which yellow-white coral-like necrotic masses, called kunker or leeches were shown. Splendore-Hoeppli like phenomenon and eosinophilic inflammatory reaction around the hyphae, was microscopically observed. Pythium sp. (Hyphomyces destruens) was isolated in Sabouraud dextrose agar from ground kunkers. Immunodiffusion (ID) to diagnose this disease in equines, was performed with success. Immunotherapy was applied to 5 of affected horses, and three were cured. Some epizootiological aspects of the pythiosis are also discussed.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Thirty-nine pythiosis equine cases, were studied at the Veterinary Medicine School of the National University of Costa Rica, between 1981 and 1984.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este informe detalla 39 casos de pitosis equina en Costa Rica entre 1981 y 1984, describiendo lesiones tumorales caracterizadas por masas necróticas amarillo-blanquecinas de aspecto coraloide conocidas como kunkers o 'leeches'. A pesar de la terminología, este artículo no tiene relevancia para la hirudoterapia real ni para el secretoma de la sanguijuela; el término 'leeches' se utiliza de forma puramente descriptiva para la apariencia macroscópica de las masas infecciosas causadas por Pythium sp. (Hyphomyces destruens). El estudio se centra en la patología veterinaria, el diagnóstico mediante inmunodifusión y la inmunoterapia en caballos. En consecuencia, no ofrece valor científico aplicable a la American Society of Hirudotherapy.
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: 18 de junio de 2026