The aim of this study is to verify the occurrence of phycomycosis and cutaneous habronemiasis in the samples collected from equine wounds in some districts of the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, from 1979 to 1996. It is also our purpose to use the silver staining procedure (Grocott's methanamine silver) to trace tubuli-like structures characteristic of phycomycosis. Cases were definitively diagnosed as/or suspected of phycomycosis (or zigomycosis) and cutaneous habronemiasis obtained from files of the Pathology Department of the Veterinary Faculty of the Federal University of Minas Gerais. The blocks were cut and the section were stained by the hematoxylin/eosin procedure and by Grocott's methanamine silver.

The results obtained among the 30 studied cases are as follow:

cutaneous habronemiasis (5 cases - 16.66 per cent); phycomycosis (9 cases - 30 per cent); phycomycosis and cutaneous habronemiasis (1 case - 3.33 per cent); eosinophilic infiltrated granulation tissue with necrosis focuses, unidentified cause (6 cases - 16.66 per cent); granular dermatitis (2 cases - 6.66 per cent); and equine sarcoid (2 cases - 6.66 per cent). It can be inferred that phycomycosis and habronemiasis are skin diseases apparently common in Minas Gerais State, and also that they need special histological staining in order to reach a definitive diagnosis. In addition, attention must be paid to the fact an association of both diseases might occur