Malassezia pachydermatis presence in canine external otitis and dermatopathies

Abstract

Malassezia pachydermatis is a commensal yeast of the skin and external ear canal of dogs and cats that may become an opportunistic pathogen under some conditions. The aim of this paper was to research the diseases which predispose to the development of opportunistic M. pachydermatis in dogs with external otitis or dermatopathies. The samples were collected by sterile swabs or by the carpet technique. Samples were obtained from the external ear canal and cutaneous tegument and were seeded in Sabouraud dextrose agar added with chloramphenicol and cycloheximide. Following, they were incubated at 32ºC for seven days for yeast identification. M. pachydermatis isolation was successful in 49 (70%) of the 70 samples investigated. Underlying diseases diagnosed in these animals included ceruminous otitis, skin fold pyoderma, seborrhoeic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, pressure point pyoderma, parasitic otitis, acanthosis nigricans, hot spot and bacterial otitis. The results confirm that the presence of this yeast can cause the perpetuation of these diseases and be a treatment complication factor.

Epidemiological Investigation of Bacterial, Fungal and Parasitic Factors Causing Otitis externa in Dogs and Cats in Northern Iran from 2019 to 2021

“…Another study conducted in Brazil in 2015 examined 70 dogs (44 males and 26 females) in terms of the cause of external ear infections. Malassezia pachydermatis was found in 49 dogs studied (70%) [23]. A further study conducted on 616 cases of external ear infections in carnivorous animals (dogs and cats) indicated that Staphylococcus hemolytic, Malassezia pachydermatis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were responsible for 26.27, 12.35, and 8.8% of external ear infections in Brazil [24].…”

Prevalence of Malassezia Infection in Dogs of Nagpur City

“…In long standing cases due to intense itching secondary complications including bacterial infection, lichenification and hyperpigmentation have been reported. The prevalence and its variation have been thoroughly studied, breeds like Cocker Spaniel, German Shephards, Labrador Retriever, Basset Hound, Dachshund, West Highland White Terrier, Poodle and Australian Silky Terrier breeds of dogs were found to be highly susceptible Seetha et al, (2018), Nascente et al, (2015). Under the Indian context, Labradors, German Shepherds, Dobermans, Spitzs, Dachshund, Great Danes were found to be more susceptible (Kumar et al, 2011).…”