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Periódicos Brasileiros em Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia

Onychomycosis caused by Malassezia pachydermatis in a dog

Spanamberg, AndréiaDriemeier, DavidSonne, LucianaFerreiro, Laerte

Background: Malassezia species are commensal skin organisms of warm-blooded vertebrates that can act as opportunisticpathogens. Malassezia pachydermatis is of importance in both veterinary and human medicine. Recognised initially ascauses of infection of the skin, they are now known to be superficial commensals as well as potential causes of infections indomestic animals and more serious human conditions such as fungemia. They have also been implicated in the pathogenesisof allergic and other inflammatory diseases. Onychomycosis is defined as fungal infection of the claw (nail disease) causedby dermatophytes (Microsporum and Trichophyton genus), non-dermatophyte molds (hyaline and dematiaceous) and/oryeasts. The objective of this work was to report a case of canine onychomycosis by Malassezia pachydermatis based onreference standard diagnostics of this pathology.Case: A 9-year-old male West Highland White Terrier presented history of claw abnormality: brown staining and partlybrittle. The dog has no apparent history of trauma on the affected claw and no skin disease was reported. Direct examinationof claw was performed using the tape strip technique revealed Malassezia organisms. Nail fragments were cultured ontoSabouraud Dextrose Agar with Chloramphenicol and Cycloheximide. After 10 days of incubation (32ºC) nail fragmentsallowed the isolation of pure colonies of Malassezia pachydermatis. The histopathological evaluation was performed bySector of Veterinary Clinical Pathology, Faculdade de Veterinária (FAVET/UFRGS) and fungal infection due to Malasseziapachydermatis was confirmed by histopathologic examination (Hematoxylin and eosin and Grocott’s methenamine silverstain) of the nail, that revealed abundant yeasts (blastoconidia).Discussion: Fungal infection of the skin, hair and nails are common and are primary caused by the dermatophyte molds.Non-dermatophyte molds isolated from nails...(AU)

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