Fungal Skin Diseases

CHAPTER | 4 Fungal Skin Diseases




Malasseziasis (Malassezia dermatitis)



Features


Malassezia pachydermatis is a yeast that is normally found in low numbers in the external ear canals, in perioral areas, in perianal regions, and in moist skin folds. Skin disease occurs in dogs when a hypersensitivity reaction to the organisms develops, or when cutaneous overgrowth occurs. In dogs, Malassezia overgrowth is almost always associated with an underlying cause, such as atopy, food allergy, endocrinopathy, keratinization disorder, metabolic disease, or prolonged therapy with corticosteroids. In cats, skin disease is caused by Malassezia overgrowth that may occur secondary to an underlying disease (e.g., feline immunodeficiency virus, diabetes mellitus, an internal malignancy). In particular, generalized Malassezia dermatitis may occur in cats with thymoma-associated dermatosis or paraneoplastic alopecia. Malasseziasis is common in dogs, especially among West Highland White terriers, Dachshunds, English setters, Basset hounds, American cocker spaniels, Shih tzus, Springer spaniels, and German shepherds. These breeds may be predisposed. Malasseziasis is rare in cats.







Treatment and Prognosis









Author’s Note


Yeast dermatitis is currently the most commonly missed diagnosis in U.S. general practices. Any patient with leathery, elephant skin–like lesions on the ventrum should be suspected of having Malassezia dermatitis.


Cutaneous cytology is not always successful for finding Malassezia organisms, requiring the clinician to rely on clinical lesion patterns to make a tentative diagnosis.


Yeast dermatitis is severely pruritic, with owners reporting an itch level of 10 on a 0 to 10 visual analog scale.

















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FIGURE 4-15 Malasseziasis.


More typical yeast dermatitis of the forearm compared with Figure 4-14. The alopecia, hyperpigmentation, and lichenification (“elephant skin”) are highly characteristic of yeast dermatitis.



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FIGURE 4-17 Malasseziasis.


Close-up of the dog in Figure 4-16. Brown discoloration of the feet is apparent and represents an early change caused by the Malassezia infection.






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FIGURE 4-22 Malasseziasis.


Close-up of the dog in Figure 4-20. Intense erythema and alopecia, with early lichenification caused by the hypersensitivity reaction to the yeast, are apparent.


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FIGURE 4-23 Malasseziasis.


Close-up of the dog in Figure 4-20. Intense erythema and alopecia caused by the hypersensitivity reaction to yeast can be seen on the thorax. Note: The skin is beginning to become lichenified, typical of Malassezia dermatitis.













Candidiasis (candidosis, thrush)






Treatment and Prognosis









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FIGURE 4-35 Candidiasis.


Close-up of the dog in Figure 4-34. Erythema and crusting on the abdomen.


(Courtesy A. Yu.)



Dermatophytosis (ringworm)






Treatment and Prognosis














Author’s Note


Microsporum canis is one of the most common zoonotic diseases in veterinary medicine.


Adopted kittens should be screened for infection during the first veterinary wellness visit.


Chronically infected animals likely have contaminated the home, requiring aggressive cleaning and disinfection of the environment.


Even long-standing and severe infections can be resolved with aggressive and persistent treatment.


Discontinuation of therapy MUST be based on negative cultures.



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Sep 10, 2016 | Posted by in SMALL ANIMAL | Comments Off on Fungal Skin Diseases

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