Conclusion
This case report aimed to record an unsuccessful attempt at treating a case of fungal arthritis, highlighting the challenges faced and emphasising the severity of this type of infection. The authors emphasise the need for intensive treatment from the outset consisting of arthroscopic debridement and synovial lavage of all pouches in combination with systemic and local antifungal chemotherapy. This report offers further data on the apparent safe use of IA antifungal chemotherapeutics. Furthermore, the importance of synovial culture and sensitivity is highlighted. Fungal septic arthritis should be considered a differential diagnosis for atypical or unresponsive cases of synovial sepsis. The prognosis for a return to athleticism is in the authors’ opinion poor and at best treatment is likely to be lengthy with human colleagues reporting antifungal chemotherapeutic administration continuing for more than 12 months in some cases(Fang et al.2019). There remains a significant void in the literature about fungal arthritis in the horse, further research should focus on establishing veterinary-specific breakpoints for fungal sensitivity and the subsequent safe use of various anti-fungal chemotherapeutics. Furthermore, a greater understanding of the risk factors and ensuing pathology must be achieved.