L'importanza di Malassezia pachydermatis nel cane

Abstract

The genus Malassezia belongs to Basidiomycota and currently includes 16 species, of which M. pachydermatis is the most commonly isolated from dogs. Actually, M. pachydermatis is a member of the normal microbiota of the skin and mucosal sites of dogs. Under certain conditions, these yeasts can act as opportunistic pathogens causing skin and ear infections of these animals. Topical and oral antifungal agents are frequently used for the therapy of Malassezia dermatitis and otitis, which are among the most frequently reported skin disorders in dogs. However, with the expanding use of antifungal agents, resistant strains of Malassezia are being increasingly detected. The development of resistance to these antifungals and other antimicrobials among veterinary pathogens also poses a potential threat to human health, particularly among zoonotic multidrug-resistant strains with potential to cause severe, life-threatening infections, which may be the case of M. pachydermatis. Restricting the use of critically important antimicrobials to safeguard their future effectiveness, a fundamental element of antimicrobial stewardship, is essential and it is driving a search for alternative treatments for these infections. The emergence of antimicrobial resistance represents a serious human and animal health risk. Therefore, good antimicrobial stewardship is essential to prolong the lifespan of existing therapies and new strategies are required to fight the infections caused by Malassezia yeasts in humans and animals.