Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Bacteria and yeast in dog ear infections in eastern USA
By Bradley, Charles W et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2020·University of Pennsylvania, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: The otic microbiota and mycobiota in a referral population of dogs in eastern USA with otitis externa.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 30 dogs with ear infections (otitis externa) was studied to understand the different bacteria and fungi present in their ears. The researchers found that Staphylococcus bacteria were the most common, but the diversity of microbes was lower in dogs with certain types of infections. This means that traditional tests might not fully capture the range of germs causing the problem. Understanding the full range of bacteria and fungi could help develop better treatments for ear infections in dogs.
People also search for: dog ear infection treatment · why does my dog have itchy ears · Staphylococcus ear infection in dogs · dog ear infection causes · Malassezia infection in dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Canine otitis externa (OE) is a common inflammatory disease that is frequently complicated by secondary bacterial and/or yeast infections. The otic microbial population is more complex than appreciated by cytological methods and aerobic culture alone. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Differences in bacterial and fungal populations of the external ear canal will correlate with specific cytological and culture-based definitions of bacterial and Malassezia otitis. ANIMALS: Forty client-owned dogs; 30 with OE and 10 with healthy ears. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Prospective study comparing cytological samples, aerobic bacterial cultures and culture-independent sequencing-based analyses of the external ear canal. Subjects with OE included 10 dogs with only cocci [≥25/high power field (HPF)] on cytological evaluation and culture of Staphylococcus spp.; 10 dogs with rods (≥25/HPF) and exclusive culture of Pseudomonas aeruginosa; 10 dogs with only yeast on cytological results morphologically compatible with Malassezia spp. (≥5/HPF). RESULTS: Staphylococcus was the most abundant taxa across all groups. Ears cytologically positive for cocci had decreased diversity, and all types of OE were associated with decreased fungal diversity compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Cytological and culture-based assessment of the ear canal is not predictive of the diverse microbiota of the ear canal in cases of Pseudomonas or Malassezia otitis. Less abundant bacterial taxa in cases of staphylococcal OE are worth scrutiny for future biological therapy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31960536/