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P‐77
Skin fungal flora in horses: is Malassezia an important component
Author(s) -
Bourdeau P.,
Marchand A. M.,
Alexandre F.,
Marchand A.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
veterinary dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.744
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1365-3164
pISSN - 0959-4493
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3164.2004.00414_77.x
Subject(s) - malassezia , microsporum gypseum , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , trichosporon , acremonium , paecilomyces , geotrichum , agar , isolation (microbiology) , rhodotorula , cladosporium , blastomyces dermatitidis , curvularia , veterinary medicine , yeast , botany , aspergillus , antifungal , medicine , bacteria , trichophyton , blastomycosis , immunology , genetics
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°C, observed on day 5 for Malassezia , and then maintained at 27°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.