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Suppurative Malassezia Otitis Externa: Clinical Features, Treatment, and Preliminary Isolate Identification
Danielle Nolitt1, Elizabeth Drake1
1Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, UT College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA.
Veterinary Dermatology
|July 18, 2025
Summary
Suppurative Malassezia otitis externa (SMO) in dogs presents severely, often mimicking bacterial infections. A combination treatment achieved high resolution rates in affected dogs.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Dermatology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Suppurative Malassezia otitis externa (SMO) is a rare and severe form of Malassezia otitis (MO).
- Limited literature exists on SMO, necessitating further clinical description.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the clinical signs, diagnostic results, treatment strategies, and outcomes for SMO.
- To identify the specific Malassezia species involved in SMO cases.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case study of nine dogs diagnosed with SMO between 2022 and 2024.
- Analysis of medical records, clinical presentations, cytology, and treatment responses.
- Speciation of Malassezia isolates using MALDI-TOF MS.
Main Results:
- Young male poodle-crosses were most commonly affected by SMO.
- Clinical signs included unilateral otitis externa with mucoid discharge, ulceration, and erythema.
- Cytology revealed yeast, neutrophils, and biofilm-like material; Malassezia pachydermatis was identified in some isolates.
- A treatment regimen of oral prednisone, topical orbifloxacin, mometasone furoate monohydrate, and posaconazole resulted in 83% resolution without anesthesia.
Conclusions:
- SMO is a severe otitis externa presentation that resembles bacterial infections.
- Young male poodle-crosses are predisposed to SMO.
- Ear canal hair plucking may contribute to SMO development.
