Topic 13: EQUINE DERMATOLOGY: P-77 Skin fungal flora in horses: is Malassezia an important component

The aim of this study was to evaluate the fungi present on the skin surface in healthy horses with a particular interest in Malassezia on predisposed skin areas. Twenty-five mares were included, each sampled on nine skin areas including those most likely contaminated by Malassezia: nostrils, lips, e...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Veterinary dermatology 2004-08, Vol.15 (s1), p.66-66
Main Authors: Bourdeau, P, Marchand, A M, Alexandre, F, Marchand, A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acremonium
Aspergillus
Geotrichum
Malassezia
Microsporum gypseum
Paecilomyces
Penicillium
Scopulariopsis
Stachybotrys
Trichosporon
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Summary:The aim of this study was to evaluate the fungi present on the skin surface in healthy horses with a particular interest in Malassezia on predisposed skin areas. Twenty-five mares were included, each sampled on nine skin areas including those most likely contaminated by Malassezia: nostrils, lips, ear pinnae, base of the mane, pasterns, pectoral areas, lateral thorax, udder and perianal areas. Two sterile carpets were applied to the skin, and then used for inoculation of agar (Sabouraud's plus cycloheximide and chloramphenicol), both with and without lipids for isolation of different species of Malassezia. This method is currently successful in isolating Malassezia in dogs. Cultures were incubated at 32 degree C, observed on day 5 for Malassezia, and then maintained at 27 degree C for complementary morphological identifications. From 223 cultures on standard medium, only seven remained sterile. The most common fungi were filamentous (number of positive samples): Scopulariopsis (156), Penicillium (79), Acremonium (67), Aspergillus (53), Paecilomyces spp. (38), and Stachybotrys (33). Interestingly, Microsporum gypseum was also isolated (14 samples from seven areas) from 10 horses. Yeast or yeast-like fungi were Geotrichum (52), Trichosporon (21), and an additional 33 samples being positive for yeast other than Malassezia. Results from the other 223 cultures on lipid-rich agar were similar. Most of the fungi were isolated from the nine areas selected, but Malassezia was never isolated from 446 cultures. Funding: Self-funded.
ISSN:0959-4493
1365-3164
DOI:10.1111/j.1365-3164.2004.00414_77.x