Putative Malassezia dermatitis in six goats

Histopathology submissions from 28 goats with dermatological disease were identified in an archival search of pathology files. Microscopic sections of skin biopsy specimens were examined for the presence of Malassezia spp. organisms. Six cases with many Malassezia yeasts were identified histopathologically. Based on the extent of clinical disease, three cases were regarded as localized and three were generalized infections. Clinical findings included alopecia with dry seborrhoea (four cases), greasy seborrhoea (one case), and no clinical findings specific to localized Malassezia infection when concurrent bacterial infection was present (one case). Mild pruritus was reported in two cases of generalized infection. No breed predilection was apparent. Three cases were male and three were female. Malassezia dermatitis occurred in goats from 10 months to 13 years of age. Three of six cases had concurrent bacterial infection. Skin lesions resolved following topical antifungal therapy in the two goats that were treated. Histopathological findings in all cases were severe follicular and epidermal orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis with minimal epithelial change and mild superficial perivascular to interstitial nonsuppurative inflammation. Numerous budding yeasts were visible within the stratum corneum of all cases; however, Malassezia was not isolated in the three cases in which culture was attempted. Based upon these findings, the authors suggest that the diagnosis Malassezia dermatitis in goats is most likely to be made by cytological examination of skin impressions or by examination of skin biopsy samples. Résumé Les prélèvements histopathologiques de 28 chèvres atteintes de dermatose ont été identifiés dans des archives de dossiers histopathologiques. Les sections microscopiques de biopsies cutanées ont été examinées pour la présence de Malassezia spp. Six cas avec de nombreuses levures Malassezia ont été identifiés à l’examen histopathologique. A partir de l’étendue des lésions cliniques, trois cas ont été considérés comme localisés et trois comme des infections généralisées. Les signes cliniques incluaient de l’alopécie avec une séborrhée sèche (quatre cas), une séborrhée grasse (un cas), et aucun signe clinique spécifique d’une infection localisée à Malassezia quand une infection bactérienne concourante était présente (un cas). Un prurit modéréétait rapporté dans deux cas d’infection généralisée. Aucune prédisposition raciale n’était observée. Trois cas étaient d