Malassezia Yeasts in Animal Disease

Core Messages: During the last 20 years, interest in the genus Malassezia has increased dramatically among veterinarians. M. pachydermatis is now recognised as an important cause of dermatitis and otitis externa in dogs, but appears to be a relatively uncommon pathogen in other animal hosts. Cases of dermatitis or otitis externa in dogs and cats are normally managed by topical or systemic antifungal therapy and by correcting factors predisposing to infection. Lipid-dependent Malassezia are more frequently isolated in horses and domestic ruminants. This chapter reviews current knowledge on colonisation and infection of dogs, cats and other animals by Malassezia spp., including pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment. The potential for zoonotic transfer of Malassezia spp. from animals to humans is also discussed. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.