Malassezia pachydermatis

Description and Significance

Malassezia pachydermatis is a lipophilic organism (prefer lipid rich areas) whose uncontrolled growth may lead to pruritic (itching) dermatitis. ¹ It is one of the 10 species that make up the Malassezia genus. It most commonly affects pets that have preexisting allergies that have not properly been treated or are predisposed to excess moisture in certain parts of the body such as the ear canal or nail bed. ¹

Signs and Symptoms Each case is unique but may exhibit varying degrees of the following symptoms: ^{1, 2, 3}

• Lesions between the affected pets skin folds and varying parts of the body.
• Bruised skin may be red (erythematous), hyperpigmented, scaly, greasy or dry. The fur may also be stained brown due to saliva staining from excessive licking.
• Persistent and painful scratching and head shaking.
• The skin folds may also have plaques or discharge as a result of a seborrheic infection.
• A strong odor similar to that of rancid milk.

Treatment Methods Treatment may vary depending on the doctor and the severity of the case but may include: ^{1, 3}

• Topical medications that are both antiseborrheic and antifungal that should be used several times a week. They may include formulas that are salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or ketoconazole based among other medications.
• Systemic (oral) medications can be used in conjunction with topical therapies or for the most severe cases. Medications such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, or fluconazole may be used.
• Oral antibiotics are also helpful to treat secondary bacterial infection that may arise.

In severe cases that do not respond quickly to treatment the infection may only be controlled when the underlying cause of Malassezia overgrowth is suppressed. ³ It should also be noted that excessive use of corticosteroids may lead the Malassezia pachydermatis to develop a resistance to therapy and there will be an overgrowth of the yeast that may not be easily treated.

Cell Structure and Metabolism

Malassezia pachydermatis is an ovoid peanut shaped yeast that reproduces by unipolar budding (producing two individuals from one organism). ^{1, 3, 4} They can be seen via microscope under high magnification and are between 3 and 8 μm. Malassezia pachydermatis is not a lipid dependent organism therefore it can be cultured using Sabouraud’s dextrose agar. ³

Ecology

It is part of the animal’s normal microflora and is normally found within the ear canals, the mucosa of the anus and oral cavities, as well as the anal sacs and vagina. Malassezia pachydermatis is an opportunistic infection in which the organism becomes pathogenic due to an impaired immune system. It can affect any breed if the conditions for overgrowth are ideal, but dogs tend to be more frequently affected then cats. There is no indication that the infection is contagious. ^{1, 3, 4}

Pathology

As stated in the pervious section a small amount of Malassezia pachydermatis can be found on the skin normally. When the animal develops certain conditions that allow for excess sebum production or excess moisture an overgrowth of yeast will result. Excessive licking and an oily coat can allow the yeast to colonize the skin especially the nail beds. Malassezia dermatitis is more prevalent in animals that live in predominantly humid area or suffer from seasonal allergies. ^{1, 3} Malassezia pachydermatis that has been cultured from affected dogs tend to produce a variety of enzymes that include protease, lipase and glucosidase among others. These enzymes have been known to contribute to the inflammation, and itching associated with Malassezia infections by altering the areas pH levels as well as the degradation of enzymes (proteolysis) and fats (lipolysis). ³ Infections in dogs are most often a result of allergic hypersensitivity (atopy) to the environment or possibly food. Dogs with preexisting endocrine and keratinization disorders are also prone to Malassezia dermatosis. Malassezia is rare in cats but they do occur as a secondary infection to certain preexisting diseases (feline immunodeficiency virus or diabetes mellitus) or internal malignancy. ²