Successful potassium iodide treatment for rhinofacial pythiosis in sheep

Background: Pythiosis in sheep is an important disease in Brazil, which could cause rhinitis, dermatitis and alimentary tract inflammation. It is caused by the aquatic oomycete, Pythium insidiosum. The rhinofacial pythiosis causes facial deformity and upper respiratory tract clinical signs associated with necroproliferative masses occupying the rostral nasal cavity and hard palate. Little is known regarding the therapy, prophylaxis and pathogenesis of this disease. Methodology: During the 6-year study, we examined 13 sheep presenting rhinofacial pythiosis. The diagnosis was performed through biopsy of the rhinofacial lesions followed by histopathology and immunohistochem-istry using specific antibodies against P insidiosum, polymerase chain reaction and an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: This study presents the clinical findings of a potassium iodide treatment of rhinofacial pythiosis in sheep. All sheep were treated with 10 ml of 10% potassium iodide solution, administered orally every day during 63-120 (mean 85) days. Among treated sheep, 84.6% demonstrated complete recovery. Conclusion: Potassium iodide therapy may treat rhinofacial pythiosis in sheep. (c) 2021 SFMM. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Potassium iodide therapy may treat rhinofacial pythiosis in sheep. This study examined 13 sheep with rhinofacial pythiosis and found that 84.6% of treated sheep demonstrated complete recovery after being treated with 10 ml of 10% potassium iodide solution orally every day for an average of 85 days.