Cold atmospheric plasma-aerosol treatment of equine dermatophytosis: a novel therapeutic approach.

Introduction: Dermatophytosis 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. Methods: A 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. Results: Initial microbiological examination identified Discussion: CAP-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.