Cold atmospheric plasma-aerosol treatment of equine dermatophytosis: a novel therapeutic approach
IntroductionDermatophytosis is a common fungal skin infection in horses, particularly affecting young and immunocompromised animals. Traditional treatments often involve antifungal medications with potential side effects. Here, we present a case report that evaluated the efficacy of cold atmospheric...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1651946/full |
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| author | Sandra Kurras Derek Knottenbelt Ulrich Schmelz Tom Schaal Tim Tischendorf Robert Fuchs Timon Schorling Marc H. W. Koene |
| author_facet | Sandra Kurras Derek Knottenbelt Ulrich Schmelz Tom Schaal Tim Tischendorf Robert Fuchs Timon Schorling Marc H. W. Koene |
| author_sort | Sandra Kurras |
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| description | IntroductionDermatophytosis is a common fungal skin infection in horses, particularly affecting young and immunocompromised animals. Traditional treatments often involve antifungal medications with potential side effects. Here, we present a case report that evaluated the efficacy of cold atmospheric plasma-aerosol (CAP-A) as a standalone treatment for equine dermatophytosis.MethodsA 2-year-old Westphalian warmblood stallion presented with confirmed dermatophyte lesions restricted to the left side of the mouth which were treated with CAP-A. Treatment was administered 2 times daily for 12 consecutive days; each session consisted of two 3-min fogging cycles. Microbiological samples were collected before and after the treatment period. Daily photographic documentation was maintained.ResultsInitial microbiological examination identified Trichophyton ssp. (Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton benhamiae, Trichphyton erinacei, Trichophyton tonsurans, Trichophyton equinum, Trichophyton verrucosum, or Trichophyton rubrum) as the definitive aetiology. Post-treatment samples were negative for all of the tested dermatophytes including Trichophyton spp., Microsporum canis, and Nannizzia ssp. Clinical progression was documented through photographic evidence. The horse showed no signs of discomfort during or after the treatment sessions.DiscussionCAP-A therapy demonstrated promising results as a non-pharmacological treatment option for equine dermatophytosis, achieving both clinical and microbiological resolution without adverse effects. This single case report will need to be followed up by a prospective study in a larger sample to draw definite conclusions about the efficacy of the treatment. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4c1e1b7fe77c4e80a479d6696716c19d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2297-1769 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-4c1e1b7fe77c4e80a479d6696716c19d2025-08-20T03:34:30ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Veterinary Science2297-17692025-07-011210.3389/fvets.2025.16519461651946Cold atmospheric plasma-aerosol treatment of equine dermatophytosis: a novel therapeutic approachSandra Kurras0Derek Knottenbelt1Ulrich Schmelz2Tom Schaal3Tim Tischendorf4Robert Fuchs5Timon Schorling6Marc H. W. Koene7Tierklinik Lüsche GmbH, Bakum, GermanyEquine Medical Solutions Ltd, Stirling, Scotland, United KingdomMedical Microbiology, Drinking Water and Hygiene Laboratory, Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Fulda, GermanyFaculty of Health and Healthcare Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Zwickau, Zwickau, GermanyFaculty of Health and Healthcare Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Zwickau, Zwickau, GermanyResearch and Development, WK-MedTec GmbH, Bückeburg, GermanyResearch and Development, WK-MedTec GmbH, Bückeburg, GermanyTierklinik Lüsche GmbH, Bakum, GermanyIntroductionDermatophytosis is a common fungal skin infection in horses, particularly affecting young and immunocompromised animals. Traditional treatments often involve antifungal medications with potential side effects. Here, we present a case report that evaluated the efficacy of cold atmospheric plasma-aerosol (CAP-A) as a standalone treatment for equine dermatophytosis.MethodsA 2-year-old Westphalian warmblood stallion presented with confirmed dermatophyte lesions restricted to the left side of the mouth which were treated with CAP-A. Treatment was administered 2 times daily for 12 consecutive days; each session consisted of two 3-min fogging cycles. Microbiological samples were collected before and after the treatment period. Daily photographic documentation was maintained.ResultsInitial microbiological examination identified Trichophyton ssp. (Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton benhamiae, Trichphyton erinacei, Trichophyton tonsurans, Trichophyton equinum, Trichophyton verrucosum, or Trichophyton rubrum) as the definitive aetiology. Post-treatment samples were negative for all of the tested dermatophytes including Trichophyton spp., Microsporum canis, and Nannizzia ssp. Clinical progression was documented through photographic evidence. The horse showed no signs of discomfort during or after the treatment sessions.DiscussionCAP-A therapy demonstrated promising results as a non-pharmacological treatment option for equine dermatophytosis, achieving both clinical and microbiological resolution without adverse effects. This single case report will need to be followed up by a prospective study in a larger sample to draw definite conclusions about the efficacy of the treatment.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1651946/fullcold atmospheric plasma treatmentequine dermatophytosisantifungal treatmentTrichophyton mentagrophytesTrichophyton benhamiaeTrichophyton tonsurans |
| spellingShingle | Sandra Kurras Derek Knottenbelt Ulrich Schmelz Tom Schaal Tim Tischendorf Robert Fuchs Timon Schorling Marc H. W. Koene Cold atmospheric plasma-aerosol treatment of equine dermatophytosis: a novel therapeutic approach Frontiers in Veterinary Science cold atmospheric plasma treatment equine dermatophytosis antifungal treatment Trichophyton mentagrophytes Trichophyton benhamiae Trichophyton tonsurans |
| title | Cold atmospheric plasma-aerosol treatment of equine dermatophytosis: a novel therapeutic approach |
| title_full | Cold atmospheric plasma-aerosol treatment of equine dermatophytosis: a novel therapeutic approach |
| title_fullStr | Cold atmospheric plasma-aerosol treatment of equine dermatophytosis: a novel therapeutic approach |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cold atmospheric plasma-aerosol treatment of equine dermatophytosis: a novel therapeutic approach |
| title_short | Cold atmospheric plasma-aerosol treatment of equine dermatophytosis: a novel therapeutic approach |
| title_sort | cold atmospheric plasma aerosol treatment of equine dermatophytosis a novel therapeutic approach |
| topic | cold atmospheric plasma treatment equine dermatophytosis antifungal treatment Trichophyton mentagrophytes Trichophyton benhamiae Trichophyton tonsurans |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1651946/full |
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