Preliminary studies on the mechanism of infection and characterization of Malassezia pachydermatis in association with canine otitis externa.

A study on the mechanism of infection and the characterization of Malassezia pachydermatis in connection with canine otitis externa was conducted. The ability of this yeast to grow uninhibited in intimate contact with the diversity of other microbial isolants of the canine aural canal was demonstrated. Canine cerumen seemed to promote the growth of this yeast. Although the source of infection is still obscure, M. pachydermatis managed to survive in soil and dust at different temperatures for four weeks. Among the commonly used diagnostic media, Sabouraud's dextrose agar was shown to be the most supportive for the growth of this yeast.