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Veterinary Record Open 2017To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new, single-administration Otic Solution containing florfenicol, terbinafine and mometasone furoate for the treatment of canine...
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new, single-administration Otic Solution containing florfenicol, terbinafine and mometasone furoate for the treatment of canine otitis externa (OE).
DESIGN
The clinical efficacy and safety study was a multicentre, controlled, masked and randomised field study conducted over 30 days. Two hundred and twenty-one (221) client-owned dogs of varying breeds with diagnosed bacterial and/or fungal OE were enrolled.
PROCEDURE
Dogs were randomised to either Otic Solution or control groups. Evaluations were conducted over a minimum period of 30 days with a primary effectiveness endpoint based on the improvement in a clinical severity score at the final visit (day 30). Safety analyses were based on clinical and laboratory parameters and the occurrence of adverse events.
RESULTS
The Otic Solution group demonstrated a significantly higher treatment success rate compared with that observed for the control group (72.5 per cent v 11.1 per cent, P value=0.0001) for cases of OE caused by and No significant safety findings were reported.
CONCLUSIONS/CLINICAL RELEVANCE
This new ototopical formulation provides safe and effective treatment of canine OE and is an important alternative antimicrobial for this indication. The single-administration dosage regimen eliminates opportunities for client dosage administration errors and medication stockpiling.
PubMed: 29177053
DOI: 10.1136/vetreco-2017-000219 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2017species are lipophilic and lipid-dependent yeasts belonging to the human and animal microbiota. Typically, they are isolated from regions rich in sebaceous glands. They...
species are lipophilic and lipid-dependent yeasts belonging to the human and animal microbiota. Typically, they are isolated from regions rich in sebaceous glands. They have been associated with dermatological diseases such as seborrheic dermatitis, pityriasis versicolor, atopic dermatitis, and folliculitis. The genomes of , , and lack the genes related to fatty acid synthesis. Here, the lipid-synthesis pathways of these species, as well as of , and of an atypical variant were reconstructed using genome data and Constraints Based Reconstruction and Analysis. To this end, the genomes of CBS 1878 and the atypical 4DS were sequenced and annotated. The resulting Enzyme Commission numbers and predicted reactions were similar to the other strains despite the differences in their genome size. Proteomic profiling was utilized to validate flux distributions. Flux differences were observed in the production of steroids in and in the metabolism of butanoate in . The predictions obtained via these metabolic reconstructions also suggested defects in the assimilation of palmitic acid in , , , and the atypical variant of , but not in These predictions were validated via physiological characterization, showing the predictive power of metabolic network reconstructions to provide new clues about the metabolic versatility of .
PubMed: 28959251
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01772 -
PloS One 2017The genus Malassezia includes lipophilic yeasts, which are part of the skin microbiota of various mammals and birds. Unlike the rest of Malassezia species, M....
The genus Malassezia includes lipophilic yeasts, which are part of the skin microbiota of various mammals and birds. Unlike the rest of Malassezia species, M. pachydermatis is described as non-lipid-dependent, as it is able to grow on Sabouraud glucose agar (SGA) without lipid supplementation. In this study we have examined the phenotypic variability within M. pachydermatis and confirmed its lipid-dependent nature using a synthetic agar medium. We used a selection of representative non-lipid-dependent strains from different animal species and three atypical lipid-dependent strains of this species, which were not able to grow after multiple passages on SGA. More than 400 lipid-dependent Malassezia isolates from animals were studied in order to detect the three lipid-dependent strains of M. pachydermatis. The identity of the atypical strains was confirmed by DNA sequencing. On the other hand, we have modified the Tween diffusion test, which is widely used in the characterization of these yeasts, by using a synthetic agar-based medium instead of SGA. This modification has proved to be useful for differentiation of M. pachydermatis strains, providing reproducible results and a straightforward interpretation. The finding of these peculiar lipid-dependent strains exemplifies the large variability within the species M. pachydermatis, which involves rare atypical strains with particular growth requirements.
Topics: Agar; Animals; Cats; Cattle; Culture Media; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Ear; Glucose; Horses; Lipid Metabolism; Lipids; Malassezia; Phylogeny; RNA, Ribosomal; Skin
PubMed: 28586389
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179148 -
Journal of Microbiological Methods Mar 2017Malassezia spp. are part of the normal human and animal mycobiota but are also associated with a variety of dermatological diseases. The absence of a transformation...
Malassezia spp. are part of the normal human and animal mycobiota but are also associated with a variety of dermatological diseases. The absence of a transformation system hampered studies to reveal mechanisms underlying the switch from the non-pathogenic to pathogenic life style. Here we describe, a highly efficient Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation system for Malassezia furfur and M. pachydermatis. A binary T-DNA vector with the hygromycin B phosphotransferase (hpt) selection marker and the green fluorescent protein gene (gfp) was introduced in M. furfur and M. pachydermatis by combining the transformation protocols of Agaricus bisporus and Cryptococcus neoformans. Optimal temperature and co-cultivation time for transformation were 5 and 7days at 19°C and 24°C, respectively. Transformation efficiency was 0.75-1.5% for M. furfur and 0.6-7.5% for M. pachydermatis. Integration of the hpt resistance cassette and gfp was verified using PCR and fluorescence microscopy, respectively. The T-DNA was mitotically stable in approximately 80% of the transformants after 10 times sub-culturing in the absence of hygromycin. Improving transformation protocols contribute to study the biology and pathophysiology of Malassezia.
Topics: Agaricus; Agrobacterium tumefaciens; Coculture Techniques; Cryptococcus neoformans; DNA, Bacterial; Dermatomycoses; Genetic Vectors; Green Fluorescent Proteins; Humans; Malassezia; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor); Polymerase Chain Reaction; Transformation, Genetic
PubMed: 28064034
DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2017.01.001 -
Medical Mycology Case Reports Jun 2016Malassezia pachydermatis is a relatively rare agent of bloodstream infections. We describe an unusual case of Malassezia fungemia in an adult patient hospitalized for...
Malassezia pachydermatis is a relatively rare agent of bloodstream infections. We describe an unusual case of Malassezia fungemia in an adult patient hospitalized for Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia who was also found to have multibacillary leprosy. Treatment of the patient required extensive medical management but resulted in a good outcome.
PubMed: 27354932
DOI: 10.1016/j.mmcr.2016.05.002 -
The New Microbiologica Jul 2016Malassezia pachydermatis is a yeast belonging to the microbiota of the skin and mucous membranes of dog and cat, but it can also act as pathogen, causing dermatitis. The...
Malassezia pachydermatis is a yeast belonging to the microbiota of the skin and mucous membranes of dog and cat, but it can also act as pathogen, causing dermatitis. The aim of this work was to evaluate the genetic variability of M. pachydermatis strains isolated from symptomatic dogs and cats and determine a correlation between genotype and phenotype. For this purpose eleven strains of M. pachydermatis were molecularly classified by nested-polymerase chain reaction (nested-PCR) based on ITS-1 and ITS-2 regions, specific for fungal rRNA genes. Furthermore, random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was applied for genetic typing of M. pachydermatis isolates identifying four different genotypes. Strains belonging to genotype 1 produced the highest amount of biofilm and phospholipase activity. The inflammatory response induced by M. pachydermatis strains in immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCat cells) was significantly different when we compared the results obtained from each strain. In particular, HaCat cells infected with the strains belonging to genotypes 1 and 2 triggered the highest levels of increase in TLR-2, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, COX-2 and MMP-9 expression. By contrast, cells infected with the strains of genotype 3 and those of genotype 4 did not significantly induce TLR-2 and cytokines. The results obtained might suggest a possible association between genotype and virulence factors expressed by M. pachydermatis strains. This highlights the need for a more accurate identification of the yeast to improve the therapeutic approach and to monitor the onset of human infections caused by this emergent zoonotic pathogen.
Topics: Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; DNA, Fungal; Dermatomycoses; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; Genetic Variation; Genotype; Malassezia; Virulence Factors
PubMed: 27284984
DOI: No ID Found -
Medical Mycology Case Reports Dec 2015A 13-year-old female Lhasa Apso was presented for blepharospasm and conjunctival hyperemia of the right eye. Ophthalmic examination revealed an anterior stromal ulcer...
A 13-year-old female Lhasa Apso was presented for blepharospasm and conjunctival hyperemia of the right eye. Ophthalmic examination revealed an anterior stromal ulcer associated with a raised yellow corneal plaque. In vivo confocal microscopy and cytology of the cornea identified neutrophilic inflammation and yeast cells. Malassezia pachydermatis was isolated from a corneal scraping. Treatment with topical voriconazole ophthalmic solution resolved the keratitis.
PubMed: 26909245
DOI: 10.1016/j.mmcr.2016.01.001 -
Veterinary Research Communications Mar 2016The aim of this evaluation study was to assess the possible role of a specific nutraceutical diet in relieving main clinical symptoms of chronic bilateral otitis externa... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
The aim of this evaluation study was to assess the possible role of a specific nutraceutical diet in relieving main clinical symptoms of chronic bilateral otitis externa (occlusion of ear canal, erythema, discharge quantity, and odor) in 30 adult dogs. Thirty dogs of different breeds (mean age ± SEM; 6.03 ± 0.15 years and mean weight ± SEM; 32.01 ± 1.17 Kg; 53.3% males, 46.6% females) with evident chronic clinical otitis symptoms were equally divided and randomly assigned to receive either the nutraceutical diet (ND group) or a standard diet (SD group) over a period of 90 days. In all cases a topical pharmacological treatment was given. The nutraceutical diet, also endowed with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, significantly decreased the mean score intensity of all symptoms after 90 days of intervention (P < 0.0001) with the exception of Malassezia pachydermatis infection which was only slightly reduced. Our investigation is one of the few evidence-based results where a commercial nutraceutical diet has been proven effective, in combination with drugs, in relieving otitis externa-related symptoms. This study opens new insights into otitis externa clinical management providing evidence of efficacy of a combined therapy with drugs and a specific nutraceutical diet.
Topics: Animals; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Female; Male; Otitis Externa; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 26743397
DOI: 10.1007/s11259-015-9651-4 -
Genome Announcements Oct 2015Malassezia pachydermatis is a basidiomycetous yeast that causes infections in humans and animals. Here, we report the genome sequence of Malassezia pachydermatis strain...
Malassezia pachydermatis is a basidiomycetous yeast that causes infections in humans and animals. Here, we report the genome sequence of Malassezia pachydermatis strain CBS 1879, which will facilitate the study of mechanisms underlying pathogenicity of the only non-lipid-dependent Malasezzia species.
PubMed: 26472839
DOI: 10.1128/genomeA.01197-15 -
Journal of Microbiology, Immunology,... Aug 2017Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are associated with high mortality and morbidity in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The epidemiology of these infections may change...
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE
Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are associated with high mortality and morbidity in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The epidemiology of these infections may change after the application of new infection control policies. The aims of this study are to reveal the changing epidemiology of BSIs in our NICU and inspect the effects of infection control efforts.
METHODS
We reviewed and analyzed the clinical characteristics of culture-proven BSIs in our NICU from 2008 to 2013 and compared them with our two previously reported data (1992-2001 and 2002-2007).
RESULTS
The mortality rate decreased from 16.3% in 1992-2001 to 5.6% in 2008-2013. In the recent study period, Gram-positive infections became predominant (58.0%). Coagulase-negative staphylococci remained the most commonly isolated organisms (26.0%). Group B Streptococcus (GBS) BSIs had the highest mortality rate (30.0%). Most GBS-infected infants' mother did not perform prenatal GBS screening. There was a decrease in the total fungal infection rate after fluconazole prophylaxis for very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) neonates, but the infections of fluconazole-resistant Malassezia pachydermatis increased. The incidence of central line-associated BSI increased to 10.6% in 2011. After restricting the catheter duration to <21 days, the incidence decreased to 4.2% in 2013.
CONCLUSION
Through the years, the overall mortality rate of BSIs in our NICU decreased. Maternal GBS screening is an important issue for avoiding early onset GBS mortality. Fungal infection rate decreased after antifungal prophylaxis policy for VLBW infants, but we should be aware of resistant strains. Restriction of the catheter duration may decrease the incidence of catheter-related BSI.
Topics: Bacteria; Bacterial Infections; Female; Fungi; Humans; Incidence; Infant, Newborn; Infection Control; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; Male; Mycoses; Sepsis; Survival Analysis; Taiwan
PubMed: 26440920
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2015.08.023