Diagnosis and therapeutic management of malasseziosis in dogs

Abstract

Malassezia spp. are commensals of the normal cutaneous microbiota of humans and animals. These yeasts may become opportunistic pathogens under certain conditions and cause dermatitis and otitis externa in dogs. Malassezia pachydermatis is the most common cause of malasseziosis in dogs. In this study skin and ear swabs from suspected cases were cultured on Modified Dixon’s Agar (MDA). The isolates obtained were initially characterized on the basis of colony characteristics, result of Gram staining and microscopic morphology. Total DNA was extracted from the pure cultures of the isolates and subjected to confirmation by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting large subunit ribosomal RNA gene. Positive cases were treated with oral itraconazole at 5 mg/kg bodyweight, orally once daily for 28 days.

Keywords

• malassezia pachydermatis
• mda
• pcr