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.

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