Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
The otic microbiota and mycobiota in a referral population of dogs in eastern USA with otitis externa.
- Journal:
- Veterinary dermatology
- Year:
- 2020
- Authors:
- Bradley, Charles W et al.
- Affiliation:
- University of Pennsylvania · United States
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
This study looked at ear infections in dogs, specifically otitis externa, which is a common condition often made worse by bacteria or yeast. Researchers examined samples from 40 dogs, 30 with ear infections and 10 with healthy ears, to see how different types of bacteria and fungi were present in their ear canals. They found that Staphylococcus bacteria were the most common across all the dogs, and those with certain types of infections had less variety in their ear microbiota compared to healthy dogs. The findings suggest that traditional methods of testing ear infections may not fully capture the complexity of the microbial populations involved. Overall, the study indicates that understanding these diverse microorganisms could help improve future treatments for ear infections 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: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31960536/