Yeast Infections in Sphynx Cats

Ahman SE, Bergstrom KE. Cutaneous carriage of Malassezia species in healthy and seborrhoeic Sphynx cats and a comparison to carriage in Devon Rex cats. J Feline Med Surg. Dec 2009;11(12):970-976.

This study looked at the presence of Malassesia species yeast in 32 Sphynx cats and in ten domestic shorthair cats (DSH). Cutaneous colonization of large numbers of Malassezia species of yeast may be related to endocrine, immunosuppressive, neoplastic, or allergic skin disease in cats. Devon Rex cats were recently shown to carry significantly more Malassezia species on their skin than did healthy DSH cats, and they were also predisposed to Massezia-associated seborrheic dermatitis. The Sphynx is an almost hairless cat breed and the Devon Rex was used for many years to outcross Sphynx. Seven sites on the body of each cat were tested. Malassezia species were isolated from 26/32 Sphynx cats (81%) and from 0/10 DSH control cats. All seborrheic cats had M. pachydermatitis isolated from their skin, at multiple sites. None of the 32 Sphynx had Malassezia species isolated from the ears. Based on the location and number of yeast isolates, in Sphynx and Devon Rex, the axilla, groin, and claw fold might be more representative sites for yeast recovery and clinical significance than sampling from the ears. [VT]

Related articles:
Ahman S, Perrins N, Bond R. Carriage of Malassezia spp. yeasts in healthy and seborrhoeic Devon Rex cats. Med Mycol. Aug 2007;45(5):449-455.

Ahman S, Perrins N, Bond R. Treatment of Malassezia pachydermatis-associated seborrhoeic dermatitis in Devon Rex cats with itraconazole--a pilot study. Vet Dermatol. Jun 2007;18(3):171-174.

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Ahman SE, Bergstrom KE. Cutaneous carriage of Malassezia species in healthy and seborrhoeic Sphynx cats and a comparison to carriage in Devon Rex cats. J Feline Med Surg. Dec 2009;11(12):970-976.

This study looked at the presence of Malassesia species yeast in 32 Sphynx cats and in ten domestic shorthair cats (DSH). Cutaneous colonization of large numbers of Malassezia species of yeast may be related to endocrine, immunosuppressive, neoplastic, or allergic skin disease in cats. Devon Rex cats were recently shown to carry significantly more Malassezia species on their skin than did healthy DSH cats, and they were also predisposed to Massezia-associated seborrheic dermatitis. The Sphynx is an almost hairless cat breed and the Devon Rex was used for many years to outcross Sphynx. Seven sites on the body of each cat were tested. Malassezia species were isolated from 26/32 Sphynx cats (81%) and from 0/10 DSH control cats. All seborrheic cats had M. pachydermatitis isolated from their skin, at multiple sites. None of the 32 Sphynx had Malassezia species isolated from the ears. Based on the location and number of yeast isolates, in Sphynx and Devon Rex, the axilla, groin, and claw fold might be more representative sites for yeast recovery and clinical significance than sampling from the ears. [VT]

Related articles:
Ahman S, Perrins N, Bond R. Carriage of Malassezia spp. yeasts in healthy and seborrhoeic Devon Rex cats. Med Mycol. Aug 2007;45(5):449-455.

Ahman S, Perrins N, Bond R. Treatment of Malassezia pachydermatis-associated seborrhoeic dermatitis in Devon Rex cats with itraconazole--a pilot study. Vet Dermatol. Jun 2007;18(3):171-174.

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Feline Idiopathic Facial Dermatitis

Chung TH, Ryu MH, Kim DY et al: Topical tacrolimus (FK506) for the treatment of feline idiopathic facial dermatitis, Aust Vet J 87:417, 2009.

A severe form of pruritic facial dermatitis has been identified in Persian cats. Affected cats have dermatitis around the eyes, nose, and chin with a black waxy discharge. It has proven very difficult to manage in most cats, and the underlying cause is unknown. Tacrolimus is an immunosuppressive drug derived from a soil bacterium. In people, it has been used for treatment of dermatitis, especially eczema and vitiligo. Use of the drug in cats has not been well studied. This case report describes a 3-year-old neutered male Persian cat with chronic ulcerative facial dermatitis diagnosed in Seoul, South Korea. Initial treatment with antimicrobial drugs for secondary infections produced some improvement. The cat was then treated with 0.1% topical tacrolimus ointment. The authors state the patient has been managed effectively with this drug without adverse effects. [SL]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Fontaine J, Heimann M: Idiopathic facial dermatitis of the Persian cat: three cases controlled with cyclosporine, Veterinary Dermatology 15:64, 2004.
>> Abstract

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Chung TH, Ryu MH, Kim DY et al: Topical tacrolimus (FK506) for the treatment of feline idiopathic facial dermatitis, Aust Vet J 87:417, 2009.

A severe form of pruritic facial dermatitis has been identified in Persian cats. Affected cats have dermatitis around the eyes, nose, and chin with a black waxy discharge. It has proven very difficult to manage in most cats, and the underlying cause is unknown. Tacrolimus is an immunosuppressive drug derived from a soil bacterium. In people, it has been used for treatment of dermatitis, especially eczema and vitiligo. Use of the drug in cats has not been well studied. This case report describes a 3-year-old neutered male Persian cat with chronic ulcerative facial dermatitis diagnosed in Seoul, South Korea. Initial treatment with antimicrobial drugs for secondary infections produced some improvement. The cat was then treated with 0.1% topical tacrolimus ointment. The authors state the patient has been managed effectively with this drug without adverse effects. [SL]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Fontaine J, Heimann M: Idiopathic facial dermatitis of the Persian cat: three cases controlled with cyclosporine, Veterinary Dermatology 15:64, 2004.
>> Abstract

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Cyclosporine for Cats with Dermatitis

Wisselink, M. A. and T. Willemse (2008). "The efficacy of cyclosporine A in cats with presumed atopic dermatitis: A double blind, randomised prednisolone-controlled study." Vet J. Feb 20 [epub]

Most cats with atopic dermatitis are treated with corticosteroids, but there are cases where it would be desirable to avoid this class of drugs due to adverse effects. Cyclosporine is widely used in human and veterinary medicine to treat immunological diseases. In most countries, it is licensed for use in dogs, but not cats. In feline dermatology, cyclosporine has been used to treat eosinophilic granuloma complex, pemphigus, atopic dermatitis, and other disorders. In this randomized, controlled, double-blind study, 29 cats with atopic dermatitis were divided into 2 groups. One group (11 cats) was treated with prednisolone (1 mg/kg daily) while the remaining cats were treated with cyclosporine (5 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks. Blood samples for serum chemistries and hematology were collected at day 0 and day 28. During the trial, the owners were asked to evaluate the intensity of the pruritus once weekly on a linear analog scale and to record side effects. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in the amount of remission or the number of cats that improved by >25%. No serious side effects were noted. The authors conclude that cyclosporine is an effective alternative to prednisolone for cats with atopic dermatitis.
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Noli, C. and F. Scarampella (2006). "Prospective open pilot study on the use of ciclosporin for feline allergic skin disease." J Small Anim Pract 47(8): 434-8.
>> PubMed Abstract

Vercelli, A., G. Raviri, et al. (2006). "The use of oral cyclosporin to treat feline dermatoses: a retrospective analysis of 23 cases." Vet Dermatol 17(3): 201-6.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Wisselink, M. A. and T. Willemse (2008). "The efficacy of cyclosporine A in cats with presumed atopic dermatitis: A double blind, randomised prednisolone-controlled study." Vet J. Feb 20 [epub]

Most cats with atopic dermatitis are treated with corticosteroids, but there are cases where it would be desirable to avoid this class of drugs due to adverse effects. Cyclosporine is widely used in human and veterinary medicine to treat immunological diseases. In most countries, it is licensed for use in dogs, but not cats. In feline dermatology, cyclosporine has been used to treat eosinophilic granuloma complex, pemphigus, atopic dermatitis, and other disorders. In this randomized, controlled, double-blind study, 29 cats with atopic dermatitis were divided into 2 groups. One group (11 cats) was treated with prednisolone (1 mg/kg daily) while the remaining cats were treated with cyclosporine (5 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks. Blood samples for serum chemistries and hematology were collected at day 0 and day 28. During the trial, the owners were asked to evaluate the intensity of the pruritus once weekly on a linear analog scale and to record side effects. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in the amount of remission or the number of cats that improved by >25%. No serious side effects were noted. The authors conclude that cyclosporine is an effective alternative to prednisolone for cats with atopic dermatitis.
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Noli, C. and F. Scarampella (2006). "Prospective open pilot study on the use of ciclosporin for feline allergic skin disease." J Small Anim Pract 47(8): 434-8.
>> PubMed Abstract

Vercelli, A., G. Raviri, et al. (2006). "The use of oral cyclosporin to treat feline dermatoses: a retrospective analysis of 23 cases." Vet Dermatol 17(3): 201-6.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

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Yeast Overgrowth in Cats With Allergic Skin Disease

Ordeix, L., F. Galeotti, et al. (2007). "Malassezia spp. overgrowth in allergic cats." Vet Dermatol 18(5): 316-23.

Malassezia (formerly known as Pityrosporum) are yeasts found on the skin surface of animals and humans. A series of 18 cats with skin disease is reported; 16 of which were diagnosed with atopic dermatitis. All were diagnosed with overgrowth of Malassezia on cytological examination or fungal culture. Skin lesions included multifocal alopecia, erythema, crusting and greasy adherent brownish scales. Treatment consisted of antifungal therapy alone, antifungal plus antibacterial therapy, or antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory therapy. After 3 to 4 weeks, substantial improvement was seen in all cats treated with combination therapy, and in 71% of cats treated with antifungal therapy alone. Malassezia overgrowth may be a secondary problem in some allergic cats, especially those with greasy adherent brownish scales.
>> PubMed abtract

Related article:
Ahman, S., N. Perrins, et al. (2007). "Treatment of Malassezia pachydermatis-associated seborrhoeic dermatitis in Devon Rex cats with itraconazole--a pilot study." Vet Dermatol 18(3): 171-4.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Ordeix, L., F. Galeotti, et al. (2007). "Malassezia spp. overgrowth in allergic cats." Vet Dermatol 18(5): 316-23.

Malassezia (formerly known as Pityrosporum) are yeasts found on the skin surface of animals and humans. A series of 18 cats with skin disease is reported; 16 of which were diagnosed with atopic dermatitis. All were diagnosed with overgrowth of Malassezia on cytological examination or fungal culture. Skin lesions included multifocal alopecia, erythema, crusting and greasy adherent brownish scales. Treatment consisted of antifungal therapy alone, antifungal plus antibacterial therapy, or antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory therapy. After 3 to 4 weeks, substantial improvement was seen in all cats treated with combination therapy, and in 71% of cats treated with antifungal therapy alone. Malassezia overgrowth may be a secondary problem in some allergic cats, especially those with greasy adherent brownish scales.
>> PubMed abtract

Related article:
Ahman, S., N. Perrins, et al. (2007). "Treatment of Malassezia pachydermatis-associated seborrhoeic dermatitis in Devon Rex cats with itraconazole--a pilot study." Vet Dermatol 18(3): 171-4.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Read More