pythiosis

pyth·i·o·sis (pith″e-oґsis) infection by Pythium insidiosum, primarily affecting horses and mules but also seen in dogs and cattle, in India, Indonesia, Europe, and the southern United States; characteristics include formation of subcutaneous abscesses that enlarge until the overlying skin is destroyed, leaving large raw surfaces. It is often confused with cutaneous habronemiasis because of the close clinical similarity between the two conditions. Human infection occurs rarely, with manifestations that may be primarily subcutaneous, ocular, vascular, or systemic; disease is often rapidly progressive, severe, and resistant to treatment. Called also bursati, hyphomycosis destruens equi, leeches, and swamp cancer.