Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
More Malassezia yeast found in eyes of dogs with corneal ulcers than
By Prado, M R et al.·Published in Veterinary microbiology·2004·School of Veterinary Medicine, Brazil·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Higher incidence of Malassezia pachydermatis in the eyes of dogs with corneal ulcer than in healthy dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with corneal ulcers had a higher presence of a yeast called Malassezia pachydermatis in their eyes compared to healthy dogs. Out of 22 samples from dogs with corneal ulcers, 23% tested positive for this yeast, while only 3% of samples from healthy dogs showed the same. This suggests that Malassezia might worsen the condition of dogs suffering from corneal ulcers. If your dog has eye problems or corneal ulcers, it may be worth discussing this finding with your veterinarian for appropriate treatment options.
People also search for: dog corneal ulcer treatment · why is my dog’s eye watering · Malassezia in dogs symptoms
Abstract
Malassezia pachydermatis is usually associated with otitis and dermatitis in dogs but it can also cause diseases in other species, including humans. In a human neonatal intensive care unit, M. pachydermatis was isolated from an infant's ocular discharge. Therefore, the aim of this study was to ascertain the presence of Malassezia spp. and its possible consequences in dogs' eyes. This research included 19 dogs with unilateral or bilateral corneal ulcers and 60 healthy dogs. A total of 158 clinical specimens from both the groups were obtained from the conjunctival sac of each eye by a calibrated platinum loop. The samples were placed on Dixon and blood agar, incubated at 35 degrees C, and examined daily for 15 days. Then, the strains were subcultured on Sabouraud agar. Of 22 clinical specimens collected from the eyes with corneal ulcers, five cultures (23%) were positive for M. pachydermatis. Of 16 samples collected from the contralateral healthy eye, cultures were positive in three samples (19%). Three animals had unilateral corneal ulcer and positive cultures for M. pachydermatis in both the eyes. Two dogs had unilateral corneal ulcer and positive cultures for M. pachydermatis in the same eye. However, from the 120 samples of 60 healthy dogs, only four clinical specimens (3%) had positive cultures for M. pachydermatis. The findings of M. pachydermatis, in a considerable percentage of clinical specimens from dogs with corneal ulcer, suggest its possible role at least as an aggravating factor in the pathophysiology of this disease.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15135519/