DETECTION OF Malassezia-LIKE YEASTS ON THE SKIN OF APPARENTLY HEALTHY DOGS USING CYTOLOGY

Abstract

Philipp J Vet Anim Sci 2013, 39 (1): 107-114

The frequency, body distribution and population size of Malassezialike yeasts were determined from 30 dogs with apparently healthy skin. Cutaneous swab samples obtained from nine sites of the body were associated with the breed, length of hair, sex and age of the animals. Of the
thirty dogs, eleven (36.67%) were considered positive for Malassezia-like infections. No differences were noted in the frequency of infection between breeds, length of hair, sex and age (P>0.05). Of the fourteen positive cases based on body distribution, 5 (35.71%) and 4 (28.57%) were obtained from the right and left ears, respectively, 3 (21.43%) from the facial area, 1 (7.14%) from the medial surface of the arm and 1 (7.14%) from the medial surface of the thigh. Population size of Malassezia-like yeast cells ranged from 0 to 273 with no differences (P>0.05) among breeds, sex and age of dogs. The highest population counts were noted in the right ear followed by the left ear, then face, medial surface of the arm and thigh.