Evaluation of a detergent scrub technique for the quantitative culture of Malassezia pachydermatis from canine skin.
A detergent scrub technique using wash fluid consisting of 0.075 M phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.9 containing 0.1 per cent Triton X-100 was evaluated for the quantitative culture of Malassezia pachydermatis from canine skin. Preliminary studies showed that the detergents Triton X-100, Tween 40 and Tween 80 were equally able to disperse suspensions of pure cultures of M pachydermatis, but that the yeast counts were significantly reduced (P < 0.001) after suspension in saline, Triton X-100 or Tween 40 for two hours. The counts in skin washings were also reduced (P < 0.001) after suspension for three hours in 0.1 and 0.05 per cent solutions of Triton X-100. Vortexing, or manual or mechanical shaking of the samples yielded comparable counts. The correlation between the counts on diseased skin measured by using detergent scrubs and a contact plate technique was highly significant (P < 0.001). The detergent scrub technique was suitable for the quantitation of M pachydermatis on canine skin provided that the samples were processed without delay.
Bond
R
R
Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Hatfield.
Lloyd
D H
DH
Plummer
J M
JM
D000818:Animals; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D003902:Detergents; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D004285:Dogs; D008290:Malassezia / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008828:Microbiological Techniques; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000662:veterinary; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology*
D003902:Detergents