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Identification and distribution of a novel Malassezia species yeast on normal equine skin.
Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the distribution of Malassezia species yeasts on the skin of healthy horses. Acetate tape samples were obtained from the lip, axilla, interbulbar region, groin and anus of 12 healthy horses. The samples were stained and examined microscopically and sites harbouring yeast-like organisms were identified. Contact plates were applied to the skin at these sites and cultured at 26 degrees C and 32 degrees C. No growth was obtained on horse blood, Sabouraud's dextrose or modified Dixon's agar. A pure growth of a Malassezia-type organism was obtained on Sabouraud's dextrose agar enriched with oleic acid when it was incubated at 30 degrees C. It was identified by 26S ribosomal DNA D1/D2 sequence analysis as a member of the genus Malassezia, and most closely related to Malassezia sympodialis. However, the level of sequence divergence indicated that it was a novel species.
Publication Date: 2002-05-10 PubMed ID: 11999275DOI: 10.1136/vr.150.13.395Google 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
Summary
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The research article explores the presence and distribution of a new Malassezia species yeast on the skin of healthy horses and details the methods and results of the investigation.
Research Methodology
A team of researchers collected acetate tape samples from various parts of 12 healthy horses including the:
- Lip,
- Axilla,
- Interbulbar region,
- Groin, and
- Anus.
After collection, these samples were stained and microscopically examined to identify sites that hosted yeast-like organisms.
Contact plates were then applied on the skin at these selected sites and the samples cultured at temperatures of 26 degrees C and 32 degrees C. The study utilized multiple types of agar media for this purpose – horse blood, Sabouraud’s dextrose, and modified Dixon’s agar.
Research Findings
The research found that no growth occurred on the horse blood, Sabouraud’s dextrose or modified Dixon’s agar. However, when Sabouraud’s dextrose agar enriched with oleic acid was incubated at 30 degrees C, it resulted in pure growth of a Malassezia-type organism.
This yeast-type organism was subsequently identified using 26S ribosomal DNA D1/D2 sequence analysis and was found to be a member of the genus Malassezia. More specifically, it was most closely related to Malassezia sympodialis.
Significance of the Findings
Interestingly, the divergence in the sequence analysis indicated that the yeast-like organism was a novel species, adding to our understanding of equine skin microflora.
These findings can be useful for equine health research, specifically in understanding skin conditions, infections or allergies that might be caused by the presence of such yeast organisms. Further, it also provides valuable insights for the animal healthcare industry into the microbial life present on horse skin.
Cite This Article
APA
Nell A, James SA, Bond CJ, Hunt B, Herrtage ME.
(2002).
Identification and distribution of a novel Malassezia species yeast on normal equine skin.
Vet Rec, 150(13), 395-398.
https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.150.13.395 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- The Queen's Veterinary School Hospital, University of Cambridge.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Dermatomycoses / veterinary
- Female
- Horses
- Malassezia / genetics
- Malassezia / isolation & purification
- Male
- Sequence Analysis, RNA / veterinary
- Skin / microbiology
Citations
This article has been cited 9 times.- Hobi S, Cafarchia C, Romano V, Barrs VR. Malassezia: Zoonotic Implications, Parallels and Differences in Colonization and Disease in Humans and Animals. J Fungi (Basel) 2022 Jul 4;8(7).
- Aldrovandi AL, Osugui L, Acqua Coutinho SD. Is Malassezia nana the main species in horses' ear canal microbiome?. Braz J Microbiol 2016 Jul-Sep;47(3):770-4.
- Didehdar M, Mehbod AS, Eslamirad Z, Mosayebi M, Hajihossein R, Ghorbanzade B, Khazaei MR. Identification of Malassezia Species Isolated from Patients with Pityriasis Versicolor Using PCR-RFLP Method in Markazi Province, Central Iran. Iran J Public Health 2014 May;43(5):682-6.
- Kaneko T, Makimura K, Abe M, Shiota R, Nakamura Y, Kano R, Hasegawa A, Sugita T, Shibuya S, Watanabe S, Yamaguchi H, Abe S, Okamura N. Revised culture-based system for identification of Malassezia species. J Clin Microbiol 2007 Nov;45(11):3737-42.
- Cafarchia C, Gallo S, Capelli G, Otranto D. Occurrence and population size of Malassezia spp. in the external ear canal of dogs and cats both healthy and with otitis. Mycopathologia 2005 Sep;160(2):143-9.
- Morris DO. Malassezia pachydermatis carriage in dog owners. Emerg Infect Dis 2005 Jan;11(1):83-8.
- Cabañes FJ, Hernández JJ, Castellá G. Molecular analysis of Malassezia sympodialis-related strains from domestic animals. J Clin Microbiol 2005 Jan;43(1):277-83.
- Gupta AK, Boekhout T, Theelen B, Summerbell R, Batra R. Identification and typing of Malassezia species by amplified fragment length polymorphism and sequence analyses of the internal transcribed spacer and large-subunit regions of ribosomal DNA. J Clin Microbiol 2004 Sep;42(9):4253-60.
- Meister SL, Soto S, Rüttener M, Wenker C, Kittl S. Yeast-associated skin disease in captive king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) caused by an undescribed Malassezia species in a Swiss zoological garden. BMC Vet Res 2025 Dec 23;22(1):74.
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