Common superficial and deep cutaneous bacterial infections in domestic animals: A review.
Abstract: The skin covers the external surface of animals, and it is constantly exposed to and inhabited by different microorganisms, including bacteria. Alterations in the skin barrier allow commensal and/or pathogenic bacteria to proliferate and penetrate deep into the lower layers of the skin. Being the first barrier to the external environment, the skin is prone to injuries, allowing the penetration of microorganisms that may lead to severe deep infections. Companion animals, especially dogs, are prone to bacterial infections, often secondary to allergic dermatitis. When environmental conditions are unfavorable, horses, cattle, sheep, and goats can develop superficial infections, such as those caused by Dermatophilus congolensis. Deep inflammation is commonly caused by Mycobacterium spp., which results in granulomatous to pyogranulomatous dermatitis and panniculitis. Likewise, bacteria such as Nocardia spp. and Actinomyces spp. can cause deep pyogranulomatous inflammation. Bacteria that lead to deep necrotizing lesions (eg, necrotizing fasciitis/flesh-eating bacteria) can be severe and even result in death. This review includes an overview of the most common cutaneous bacterial infections of domestic animals, highlighting the main features and histologic morphology of the bacteria, cutaneous structures involved, and the type of inflammatory infiltrates.
Publication Date: 2023-06-02 PubMed ID: 37264789DOI: 10.1177/03009858231176558Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Review
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research article presents an overview of common skin bacterial infections in domestic animals, detailing the primary features, histological morphology of the bacteria, the skin structures they affect, and the type of inflammatory reactions they cause.
Understanding Skin and Its Microflora
- The article begins by describing the function of the skin in animals as a barrier against the outside environment. It explains how the skin, as the most exposed part of the body, hosts various microorganisms including bacteria.
- The research notes that alterations in the skin could enable the proliferation and penetration of ordinarily harmless or even pathogenic bacteria deep into the skin’s lower layers.
Types of Bacterial Infections
- The article then delves into different types of bacterial skin infections in various domestic animals.
- Companion animals such as dogs are prone to bacterial infections, which often occur due to underlying allergic dermatitis.
- Other animals, including horses, cattle, sheep, and goats, can develop superficial infections when under unfavorable environmental conditions. Such infections are commonly caused by Streptococcus spp. and Staphylococcus spp.
Consequences of Bacterial Infections
- The article explains that deep inflammation is a common consequence of these infections, leading to granulomatous to pyogranulomatous dermatitis and panniculitis.
- It goes further by stating that some bacterial infections can lead to deep necrotizing lesions (necrotizing fasciitis, often referred to as flesh-eating bacteria) which can be severe and potentially fatal.
Histology of the Bacteria and Impact on Skin Structures
- The research provides an insight into the histologic morphology of the bacteria causing these infections, the skin structures they affect, and the type of inflammatory reactions they prompt.
In Conclusion
- Overall, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the most common skin bacterial infections in domestic animals, supplementing it with an elucidation of the bacteria’s characteristics and the specific impacts they have on the skin structure of these animals.
Cite This Article
APA
Faccin M, Wiener DJ, Rech RR, Santoro D, Rodrigues Hoffmann A.
(2023).
Common superficial and deep cutaneous bacterial infections in domestic animals: A review.
Vet Pathol, 60(6), 796-811.
https://doi.org/10.1177/03009858231176558 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
- Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
- Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
- University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
- University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Dogs
- Horses
- Cattle
- Sheep
- Skin / pathology
- Dermatitis / veterinary
- Animals, Domestic
- Panniculitis / pathology
- Panniculitis / veterinary
- Inflammation / pathology
- Inflammation / veterinary
- Cattle Diseases / pathology
- Dog Diseases / pathology
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Sheep Diseases / pathology
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
Citations
This article has been cited 11 times.- Si W, Zhang J, Zhang Y, Ji Y, Khan MZ, Chen Y, Cheng Z, Zhuang J, Zhao X, Liu W. Characterization of Bacterial Communities in Air and Bedding Materials of Intensive Donkey Farms During Summer. Microorganisms 2025 Dec 26;14(1).
- Boneva-Marutsova B, Marutsov P. Generalized Dermatitis Caused by Staphylococcus aureus in the European Bison. Case Rep Vet Med 2025;2025:6559440.
- Efstratiou E, Alvanou MV, Loukovitis D, Giantsis IA, Staikou A. The Hidden Microbial World in the Gut of the Terrestrial Snail Cornu aspersum maxima and the Unexpected Negative Effects of Synbiotics. Microorganisms 2025 Sep 11;13(9).
- Chen W, Pandey P, Ziora ZM, Jayasree A, Parekh HS. Grape by-products from the wine industry - an untapped sustainable resource for application in animal skin health preservation and treatment. Front Pharmacol 2025;16:1620087.
- Saengsawang P, Tanonkaew R, Kimseng R, Nissapatorn V, Wintachai P, Rodríguez-Ortega MJ, Mitsuwan W. Whole Genome Sequence Analysis of Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius Isolated from Superficial Pyoderma in Dogs and Cats. Antibiotics (Basel) 2025 Jun 25;14(7).
- Loeffler A, Cain CL, Ferrer L, Nishifuji K, Varjonen K, Papich MG, Guardabassi L, Frosini SM, Barker EN, Weese JS. Antimicrobial use guidelines for canine pyoderma by the International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases (ISCAID). Vet Dermatol 2025 Jun;36(3):234-282.
- De Silva LP, Wijayawardhane N, Kalupahana RS, Kottawatta KSA, Pushpakumara PGA, Riley CB. Antimicrobial Prescribing Practices Among Sri Lankan Veterinarians for Common Medical Conditions in Companion Animals. Animals (Basel) 2024 Dec 31;15(1).
- Liu Y, Zeng Y, Chen L, Xin J, Zhong Z, Liu H, Fu H, Zhou Z, Peng G. Isolation and evaluation of multi-functional properties of lactic acid bacteria strains derived from canine milk. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1505854.
- Lee K, Pritchard E, Donahoe SL, Malik R, Krockenberger M. Retroperitoneal granuloma in a cat caused by Nocardia brasiliensis resulting in bilateral ureteral entrapment and unilateral hydronephrosis. Aust Vet J 2025 Jan-Feb;103(1-2):27-32.
- Yin J, Yuan D, Xu Z, Wu Y, Chen Z, Xiang X. Significant Differences in Intestinal Bacterial Communities of Sympatric Bean Goose, Hooded Crane, and Domestic Goose. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jun 5;14(11).
- Muñoz Declara S, D'Alessandro A, Gori A, Cerasuolo B, Renzi S, Berlanda M, Zini E, Monici M, Cavalieri D, Zanna G. Evaluation of the Impact of Near-Infrared Multiwavelength Locked System Laser Therapy on Skin Microbiome in Atopic Dogs. Animals (Basel) 2024 Mar 14;14(6).
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
