title: Comparative study of aural microflora in healthy cats, allergic cats and cats with systemic disease.
abstract: Twenty healthy cats (group 1) with clinically normal ears, 15 cats with systemic disease (group 2) and 15 allergic cats (group 3) were included in a prospective study. The experimental unit was the ear. A clinical score was established for each ear canal after otoscopic examination. Microbial population was assessed on cytological examination of smears performed with the cotton-tipped applicator smear technique. Fungal population was significantly more prominent in allergic cats (P <0.001) and in diseased cats compared with healthy cats (P <0.02). Bacterial population was significantly higher in allergic cats than in healthy cats (P <0.001) and cats suffering from systemic disease (P <0.001). Bacterial overgrowth was also higher in cats with systemic disease than healthy cats. In cats from group 2, only fungal overgrowth was associated with otitis severity. In group 3, only bacterial overgrowth was associated with otitis severity.
authors: Department of Clinical Sciences, National Polytechnic Institute-National Veterinary School of Toulouse (INP-ENVT), Toulouse, France c.pressanti@envt.fr.
authors: Charline
authors: C
authors: Pressanti
authors: Department of Clinical Sciences, National Polytechnic Institute-National Veterinary School of Toulouse (INP-ENVT), Toulouse, France.
authors: Clémence
authors: C
authors: Drouet
authors: Department of Clinical Sciences, National Polytechnic Institute-National Veterinary School of Toulouse (INP-ENVT), Toulouse, France.
authors: Marie-Christine
authors: MC
authors: Cadiergues
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D002415:Cats / Q000382:microbiology*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004431:Ear, External / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D008290:Malassezia / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D065631:Rhinitis, Allergic / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*