Malassezia dermatitis in dogs in Brazil: diagnosis,evaluation of clinical signs and molecular identification

Skin carriage and quantification of Malassezia yeasts were evaluated in 180 healthy dogs (group 1) and 117 dogs with clinical signs (pruritus, erythema, lichenification/seborrhoea, excoriations and alopecia) that could be related to Malassezia dermatitis (group 2) in Brazil. The lesions in the group 2 dogs were evaluated using CADESI‐03 scores. Samples were collected from five different anatomical areas. Direct examination was performed using the tape strip technique, and results were expressed as the mean number of yeasts per ×1000 microscopic field per dog. For mycological culture, a single piece of sterilized carpet was applied to the same areas sampled for cytology, and transferred onto Dixon’s modified medium. Yeast populations were expressed as mean colony forming units (CFU)/plate. Malassezia isolates were characterized by polymerase chain reaction–restriction endonuclease analysis of the large subunit (LSU) of ribosomal RNA gene. The probability of culturing Malassezia from dogs with skin lesions was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than from healthy dogs. There was a linear trend between CADESI‐03 score and mean CFU/plate. Group 2 dogs with positive cultures had higher CADESI‐03 scores than those with negative cultures (P < 0.05). Almost all isolates were identified as Malassezia pachydermatis. Only one isolate (group 2) was identified as Malassezia furfur. These data suggest that dogs with skin disorders harbouring Malassezia yeasts in quantities higher than 120 mean CFU/plate should be considered as having Malassezia dermatitis. The presence of Malassezia appears to exacerbate clinical lesions in dogs.     

P‐77 Skin fungal flora in horses: is Malassezia an important component

The aim of this study was to evaluate the fungi present on the skin surface in healthy horses with a particular interest in Malassezia on predisposed skin areas. Twenty‐five mares were included, each sampled on nine skin areas including those most likely contaminated by Malassezia: nostrils, lips, ear pinnae, base of the mane, pasterns, pectoral areas, lateral thorax, udder and perianal areas. Two sterile carpets were applied to the skin, and then used for inoculation of agar (Sabouraud's plus cycloheximide and chloramphenicol), both with and without lipids for isolation of different species of Malassezia. This method is currently successful in isolating Malassezia in dogs. Cultures were incubated at 32°C, observed on day 5 for Malassezia, and then maintained at 27°C for complementary morphological identifications. From 223 cultures on standard medium, only seven remained sterile. The most common fungi were filamentous (number of positive samples): Scopulariopsis (156), Penicillium (79), Acremonium (67), Aspergillus (53), Paecilomyces spp. (38), and Stachybotrys (33). Interestingly, Microsporum gypseum was also isolated (14 samples from seven areas) from 10 horses. Yeast or yeast‐like fungi were Geotrichum (52), Trichosporon (21), and an additional 33 samples being positive for yeast other than Malassezia. Results from the other 223 cultures on lipid‐rich agar were similar. Most of the fungi were isolated from the nine areas selected, but Malassezia was never isolated from 446 cultures. Funding: Self‐funded.     

Evaluation of fungal flora in normal and diseased canine ears

This study was undertaken to characterize otic fungal flora encountered in normal dogs, atopic dogs with no clinical or cytological evidence of otitis and dogs with otitis externa. Forty‐two normal dogs, 23 atopic dogs and 32 dogs with otitis were included in the study. Samples for otic fungal culture and cytology were obtained from all animals, for a total of 194 ears. Sixty‐seven ear samples (34%) were culture positive for saprophytic fungal organisms, as follows: 43 (64%) Penicillium species, 13 (19%) Aspergillus species and the remaining 17% comprised of various other saprophytic fungal organisms. Cytological evidence of saprophytic fungal colonization or infection was not found in any animal. There was no relationship between positive saprophytic fungal culture and any study group. Thirty‐three ear samples (17%) were positive for Malassezia pachydermatis. Cytological findings of Malassezia were significantly associated with positive culture for Malassezia (P = 0.006 left ear; P = 0.019 right ear). Furthermore, increased numbers of Malassezia led to a higher chance of positive culture (P = 0.003 left ear; P = 0.008 right ear; McNemar’s test). Malassezia pachydermatis was more likely to be cultured from ears with increased cerumen. Ear type (erect or pendulous) was not significantly associated with positive culture for Malassezia or saprophytic fungal organisms. There was no relationship between positive Malassezia culture and any study group; however, Malassezia was more likely to be cultured from individual dogs in the atopic or otitis groups that also had other dermatological signs consistent with allergic dermatitis and/or pyoderma (P = 0.031 left ear; P = 0.005 right ear).     

Comparison of ear canal microbiome in rabbits with and without otitis externa using next generation DNA sequencing

BackgroundContemporary research has increasingly explored the clinical applicability of next-generation DNA sequencing (NGS) technologies in veterinary medicine, which has provided new and practical opportunities for rabbit otitis externa clinical interventions. The objectives of this study were to characterize the normal external ear canal microbiome of clinically healthy rabbits compared to otitis externa presenting rabbits, and to assess the diagnostic viability of NGS in aural veterinary medicine.MethodsSwabs from the external ear canal of 34 clinically healthy rabbits and 16 rabbits diagnosed with otitis externa were collected. Alongside bioinformatic analysis, library preparation was performed targeting the V1-V3 region of the 16S rRNA bacterial gene and the ITS-2 region for fungal DNA analysis.ResultsIn the clinically healthy group, the bacterial species with the highest relative abundances were an uncharacterized Phytoplasma from the family Acholeplasmataceae (8.74%) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (5.56%), while in the otitis group the species with the highest relative abundances were Staphylococcus aureus (12.59%), Corynebacterium lactis (9.27%), and Corynebacterium mastitidis (7.92%). Fungal species with the highest relative abundances in the healthy group were a species from the genus Cladosporium (14.46%), while in the otitis externa group the fungal species with the highest relative abundances were a species from the genus Cladosporium (9.89%) and Malassezia restricta (4.76%). Additionally, there was a significantly higher number of different bacterial and fungal species in the clinically healthy group compared to the otitis group (P = 0.00 and P = 0.00, respectively).Conclusions and clinical relevanceThis study provided evidence that the rabbit aural microbiome profile is distinctly different between a clinically healthy and an otitis state. It also highlighted new bacterial and fungal organisms of note in rabbits diagnosed with otitis externa compared to those previously thought to be the primary disease-causing organisms. Understanding the microbial population dynamics in the rabbit aural microbiome is particularly critical for helping clinicians recognize, prevent, or revert the progression of otitis.     

Prevalence and Species Distribution of Yeast in Mammary Glands of Dairy Cows in Minnesota

A study of the prevalence of yeast-like fungi in the mammary glands of dairy cattle was conducted in Minnesota. Quarter samples from 6,020 cows were cultured for yeast. Growth of organisms was obtained from 3.2% of the quarter milk samples. The rate of yeast infection for Minnesota dairy cattle in this study was 2.0%.

The majority of the yeast isolated belonged to one of four species of the Candida genus. Candida krusei, Candida parakrusei, Candida guilliermundi, and Candida tropicalis, comprised 89% of the yeasts isolated. All of these species have been reported to cause clinical mastitis (1, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16).

It would appear that yeast-like fungi are of sufficient prevalence in mammary glands that yeast infection would be considered in the differential diagnosis in cases of clinical mastitis.

     

The biology of Malassezia organisms and their ability to induce immune responses and skin disease

Introduction 4 History and taxonomy of the genus Malassezia 5 Biological characteristics of Malassezia organisms 5 Structure 5 Reproduction 6 Biochemistry 6 Distribution of Malassezia organisms on the host 6 Immunological and epidermal responses to Malassezia organisms 7 The immune response to Malassezia organisms 7 Antigen release, penetration and presentation 8 Cell-mediated immune responses 8 IgG, IgM and IgA responses to Malassezia organisms 9 IgE responses to Malassezia organisms 10 Mast cell responses 11 Epidermal responses associated with Malassezia dermatitis 12 Malassezia organisms as pathogens in humans and animals 13 Diseases associated with Malassezia spp. in humans 13 Pityriasis versicolor 13 Malassezia folliculitis 13 Seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff 14 Atopic dermatitis 14 Malassezia fungaemia 14 Diseases associated with Malassezia spp. in animals 15 Malassezia dermatitis in dogs 15 Predisposing factors for overgrowth of Malassezia pachydermatis 15 Pathogenesis 16 Clinical features 16 Diagnosis 17 Treatment 18 Conclusions 19 References 19     

Evaluation of the Abbott LCx Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Assay for Direct Detection of Mycobacterium Bovis in Bovine Tissue Samples

The commercial LCx amplification assay, usually employed to detect the Myocobacterium tuberculosis complex in respiratory specimens, was evaluated by comparing the results it gave with those obtained using Löwenstein-Jensen solid medium and pathological findings on 55 lymph nodes from cattle with positive and 10 lymph nodes from cattle with negative skin tests for tuberculosis. Fifty-three cultures (51 and 2, respectively) were positive for M. bovis, while the results for the LCx assay and the histological method were positive in 48 (45, 3) and 24 (20, 4) samples, respectively. None of the samples from cattle from certified tuberculosis-free herds were positive by any of the procedures. The results obtained with the LCx assay, compared with the culture procedure, regarded as the gold standard among the diagnostic techniques, gave a specificity of 91.6% and sensitivity of 90.5%. Although the sensitivity of LCx was suboptimal, DNA of M. bovis was detected in 81.8% of the skin test-positive animals. Amplification techniques could provide a rapid and reasonably reliable tool for detecting bovine tuberculosis.     

P‐74 Evaluation of the in vivo effects of Tris‐EDTA and chlorhexidine digluconate 0.15% solution in chronic bacterial otitis externa: 11 cases

The objectives of this study were to evaluate in vivo tolerance, and antimicrobial and clinical activities of a topical otic preparation containing EDTA tromethamine (Tris) and chlorhexidine digluconate 0.15% solution (Otodine^®) in dogs with chronic bacterial otitis externa. Eleven dogs were included. The affected ears were filled with the solution once daily during a 2‐week period. Dogs were evaluated on days 0, 14 and 28. Three clinical parameters (exudate, erythema, pain) and three cytologic parameters (Malassezia, cocci, rods) were scored (0–4 scale) by otoscopic and cytological examinations of otic exudate. Bacterial cultures were performed at each time point. If there were bacteria on cytological examination on day 14, the dogs were treated with the original product, with the addition of enrofloxacin (5%) applied 10 min after the original product, for a further 2 weeks. All 11 cases yielded isolates of resistant gram‐negative bacteria; gram‐positive bacteria were also isolated from six of 11 dogs. On day 14, six of 11 dogs were negative on culture examination; on day 28, 10 of 11 were negative and only one case had a positive culture. On day 14, clinical and microbial scores (cytology) were reduced by 54.6 and 71.1%, respectively, and by 85.7 and 94% on day 28. All cases reported good tolerance of the treatment. The results show that this ear solution was helpful in the management of chronic bacterial otitis externa in dogs and was well tolerated. There seems to be a synergistic effect of the combination of Tris‐EDTA/chlorhexidine digluconate 0.15% solution, and an antimicrobial agent (enrofloxacin) against resistant gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria. Funding: Self‐funded.     

Seasonal prevalence of fungi in the conjunctival fornix of healthy cows during a 2‐year study

Objective The aims of the present paper were to: (i) identify and quantify conjunctival fungi isolated from healthy cows; (ii) verify the influence of different methods of farm management on the prevalence (percentage of positive cultures for each fungal species per farm) of conjunctival fungi. Material and methods Forty Friesian and twenty Limousin female cows aged 1–10 years stabled in three farms with different managements (farm 1: cows housed strictly indoors; farm 2: cows housed outside during the day and inside the stall during the night; farm 3: cows housed strictly outdoors) were investigated for conjunctival fungal flora. Air and food were also tested. Specimens were collected every season during a 2‐year study. Identification of colonies of filamentous fungi was achieved to the genus level on the basis of macro‐ and microscopic features. Results The total number of eyes positive for fungi ranged from 85 to 100% at farm 1, from 65 to 95% at farm 2, and from 55 to 95% at farm 3. Fungi most frequently isolated from conjunctival fornix were Cladosporium spp. and Penicillium spp. Statistical analysis did not show any differences in fungal prevalences among the three farms during the same season. Some fungal species were consistently isolated while others were intermittently isolated. Conclusions Fungi found in the conjunctival fornix of cows might represent transient seeding from the environment, as suspected in other species. The prevalence of conjunctival fungal organisms is not different in cattle housed indoors vs. outdoors.     

Clinical and Microbiological Study of an Otitis Media Outbreak in Calves in a Dairy Herd

On a dairy farm, otitis media was diagnosed in 64 suckler calves (21.8 %) during a study period of 2 years, and in 10 calves (3.4 %) in the third year. The inflammation was unilateral in 63 and bilateral in 11 calves. The affected calves were dull, lacked appetite, were pyrexic and displayed drooping ear or ears and tilted heads with purulent discharge exuding from the external ear canal. Of the affected animals, 56 (87.5 %) were aged between 3 and 8 weeks. Morbidity was higher during the calving season and during the autumn and winter months (October–December). Pasteurella haemolytica was isolated from 21 (32.8 %), P. multocida from 20 (31.2 %), Actinomyces pyogenes from 11 (17.2 %) and Streptococcus pneumoniae from three (4.7 %) of the clinically affected calves only during the first two study years. The exudate of the acute ear infections contained, in addition to Pasteurella spp., various bacteria and yeasts. Most of these bacteria were isolated from healthy ears as well, and are likely to be part of the normal ear flora. On the other hand, most of the yeasts were isolated from otitic calves. After a short course of an appropriate treatment, infections healed in all cases. Possible preventive measures are discussed.     

PCR-based detection of blood parasites in cattle and adult Rhipicephalus appendiculatus ticks

To ascertain the infection rate for tick-borne pathogens in Zambia, an epidemiological survey of Theileria parva, Babesia bigemina and Anaplasma marginale in traditionally managed Sanga cattle was conducted using PCR. Of the 71 native Zambian cattle, 28 (39.4%) were positive for T. parva, 16 (22.5%) for B. bigemina and 34 (47.9%) for A. marginale. The mixed infection rate in cattle was 8.5% (6/71), 16.9% (12/71), 7.0% (5/71) and 2.8% (2/71) for T. parva/B. bigemina, T. parva/A. marginale, B. bigemina/A. marginale and T. parva/B. bigemina/A. marginale, respectively.To predict the risk for transmission of tick-borne pathogens from ticks to cattle, a total of 74 Rhipicephalus appendiculatus ticks were collected from a location where cattle had been found positive for T. parva. Of the ticks collected, 10 (13.5%) were found to be PCR-positive for T. parva. The results suggest that the infection rate for tick-borne pathogens was relatively high in Sanga cattle and that adult R. appendiculatus ticks were highly infected with T. parva.     

Use of BACTEC radiometric culture method and polymerase chain reaction for the rapid screening of faeces and tissues for Mycobacterium paratuberculosis

SUMMARY The BACTEC radiometric culture method for detection of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis was evaluated on faeces from cattle on a farm in quarantine for Johne's disease. A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on the IS900 sequence specific for M paratuberculosis and a genus specific 16S rRNA region was developed and used to test cultures showing evidence of mycobacterial growth in the BACTEC liquid radiometric culture medium. Using the BACTEC - PCR combination, confirmation of M paratuberculosis from faeces and tissue of clinically affected animals was achieved within 2 to 4 weeks and 1 week, respectively, a substantial improvement on traditional culture and identification methods. The PCR provided rapid exclusion of M paratuberculosis when other Mycobacterium spp were grown. The radiometric culture medium proved to be very sensitive for culturing Mycobacterium spp.     

Interaction between lactic acid bacteria and yeasts in airag,an alcoholic fermented milk

The interaction between nine lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and five yeast strains isolated from airag of Inner Mongolia Autonomic Region, China was investigated. Three representative LAB and two yeasts showed symbioses were selected and incubated in 10% (w/v) reconstituted skim milk as single and mixed cultures to measure viable count, titratable acidity, ethanol and sugar content every 24 h for 1 week. LAB and yeasts showed high viable counts in the mixed cultures compared to the single cultures. Titratable acidity of the mixed cultures was obviously enhanced compared with that of the single cultures, except for the combinations of Lactobacillus reuteri 940B3 with Saccharomyces cerevisiae 4C and Lactobacillus helveticus 130B4 with Candida kefyr 2Y305. C. kefyr 2Y305 produced large amounts of ethanol (maximum 1.35 g/L), whereas non‐lactose‐fermenting S. cerevisiae 4C produced large amounts of ethanol only in the mixed cultures. Total glucose and galactose content increased while lactose content decreased in the single cultures of Leuconostoc mesenteroides 6B2081 and Lb. helveticus 130B4. However, both glucose and galactose were completely consumed and lactose was markedly reduced in the mixed cultures with yeasts. The result suggests that yeasts utilize glucose and galactose produced by LAB lactase to promote cell growth.     

Comparison of Sampling Procedures for Isolating Pulmonary Mycoplasmas in Cattle

Three sampling procedures were compared to determine the optimal technique for isolating mycoplasmas in cattle with respiratory diseases. The prevalence of mycoplasmas isolated from these animals is also reported. In the first group, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and nasal swab cultures were compared with the corresponding lung cultures from cattle necropsied for fatal respiratory diseases (n = 20). In a second group, nasal swabs were compared with corresponding BAL cultures in living animals with recurrent respiratory pathologies (n = 49). There was complete agreement between the paired BAL and lung cultures. In contrast, nasal cultures were not representative of the mycoplasmas present in the lower respiratory airways. The relative sensitivity and specificity of the nasal swab technique compared to BAL in living animals confirmed that the nasal swab cultures were not predictive of lower respiratory airway pathogens, such as Mycoplasma bovis. BAL is considered to be the best method for isolating M. bovis in cattle with respiratory diseases as it combines reliability and feasibility under field sampling conditions. In the present study, Mycoplasma dispar (43%) and M. bovis (29%) were mainly isolated in mixed infections. This confirms the need to search for mycoplasmas in routine examinations and to take them into account in therapeutic strategies for respiratory diseases in cattle.     

The occurrence and antibiotic resistance of motile Aeromonas in livestock

The present study was carried out to assess the prevalence of motile Aeromonas spp. in the faeces of clinically healthy sheep, cattle and horses and evaluate their susceptibility to some anti-microbial agents. Rectal swabs from 120 sheep, 85 cattle and 20 horses were examined for Aeromonas species using alkaline peptone water (pH 8.4) as the enrichment medium and Aeromonas Selective Agar containing 5 mg/l ampicillin as the isolation medium. Identification and antibiotic resistance of motile Aeromonas strains was performed using Gram Negative Enteric ID panel. Motile aeromonads were isolated from 12 (10%) sheep, 7 (8.2%) cattle and 1 (5%) horse. Of these 20 aeromonad isolates, 13 were A. caviae, 6 were A.sobria and 1 was A. hydrophila. Aeromonas species in the faeces of livestock might pose a public health problem for humans who are in direct contact with contaminated animals. However, further studies should be performed on aeromonads relating to their transmission between animals and humans.     

Conjunctival fungal flora in healthy donkeys

OBJECTIVE: To identify and quantify ocular fungi from healthy donkeys living in the center of Italy. ANIMALS STUDIED: One hundred and two Amiata donkeys were examined. PROCEDURES: Conjunctival swabs from both eyes were seeded onto Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) and malt extract agar (MEA), and incubated at 25 degrees C over a 10-day period. Filamentous fungi identification was achieved to the genus level; yeast colonies were identified for macro-micromorphologic and physiological characteristics. RESULTS: Eighty-one donkeys out of 102 (79.4%) were positive for fungi; 47/102 (46.1%) had positive cultures from both eyes. Most frequently recovered fungal genera were Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., Cladosporium spp., Acremonium spp. Different fungal genera and/or species were recovered from the same donkey in 43 cases (42.1%). Yeasts were isolated from five subjects; the yeasts were never associated with molds. The number of colony forming units (CFU) ranged from 1 to 100. CONCLUSIONS: Aspergillus was the most commonly isolated fungal genus (33%). This result agrees with the findings of similar surveys carried out in horses. There was a remarkable presence of fungi and perfect forms. These observations may be explained by the optimal conditions for presence and development of fungi in the conjunctival fornix microenvironment in Amiata donkeys.     

Phenotypic characterisation of Australian sheep and cattle isolates of Mannheimia haemolytica, Mannheimia granulomatis and Mannheimia varigena

Objective To perform a comprehensive phenotypic characterisation of 35 isolates of bacteria previously identified as haemolytic Pasteurella‐Actinobacillus and obtained from cattle and sheep. Design The 35 isolates that had been obtained from Australian animals, 30 from cattle and five from sheep, were compared with reference strains of the five recognised species of the genus Mannheimia ‐ M haemolytica, M glucosida, M granulomatis, M ruminalis and M varigena. Results Thirty‐four of the isolates could be confidently assigned to three species of the genus Mannheimia. Twenty‐nine were M haemolytica, with 25 being isolated from cattle and four from sheep. All but three of the bovine M haemolytica were isolated from pneumonic lungs. Of the three remaining bovine M haemolytica isolates, one was obtained in pure culture from a bovine milk sample and the other two as part of a mixed flora associated with a middle ear infection of a calf suffering mucosal disease. Of the four ovine M haemolytica isolates, two were isolated in pure culture from milk and two, also in pure culture, from pneumonic lungs. Three bovine isolates were identified as M granulomatis ‐ one from a tongue abscess, one from a jaw abscess and one from a lung showing suppurative bronchopneumonia. Two bovine isolates were identified as M varigena‐ one coming from an udder and the other from a spleen. The available diagnostic records provided no information on whether these isolates were associated with a disease process. The remaining isolate was obtained from an ovine tongue abscess and could not be assigned to a recognised species within the genus Mannheimia. Conclusion The study represents the first time that M haemolytica, M granulomatis and M varigena have been recognised as being present in cattle and sheep in Australia. Veterinary laboratories that encounter Pasteurella‐Actinobacillus‐like organisms from cattle and sheep should attempt as complete a characterisation as possible to help improve our knowledge of the disease potential of these organsims.     

Comparative in vitro efficacy of antimicrobial shampoos: a pilot study

This study compared the antimicrobial efficacy of shampoos against meticillin‐sensitive Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MSSP), meticillin‐resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP), antibiotic‐sensitive Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), multidrug‐resistant P. aeruginosa (MDR‐PA) and Malassezia pachydermatis. Three isolates were incubated for 10, 30 and 60 min with each shampoo diluted in phosphate‐buffered saline. Aliquots were then incubated for 16–18 h on sheep blood agar (bacteria) or for 3 days on Sabouraud’s dextrose agar (Malassezia). The minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) for chlorhexidine products (Malaseb^®, Pyoderm^®/Microbex^® and Hibiscrub^®) were 1:1,024–1:2,048 for MSSP and MRSP, 1:512–1:1,024 for PA and MDR‐PA, and 1:2,048–1:5,096 for Malassezia at all time points. The MBCs for benzoyl peroxide (Paxcutol^®) for MSSP and MRSP were 1:2–1:8 at 10 min, and 1:256 after 30 and 60 min. A 1:2 dilution was effective against Pseudomonas, and 1:512–1:1,024 dilutions were effective against Malassezia at all time points. The MBCs for ethyl lactate (Etiderm^®) for MSSP and MRSP were 1:2 at 10 min, and 1:2–1:16 after 30 and 60 min. A 1:2 dilution was effective against Pseudomonas, and a 1:512 dilution was effective against Malassezia at all time points. Chloroxylenol (Coatex^®) and acetic acid–boric acid (Malacetic^®) were not effective against MSSP, MRSP or Pseudomonas. Both were effective against Malassezia at 1:8–1:16 dilution at 10 min, and at 1:8–1:32 dilution after 30 and 60 min. In conclusion, chlorhexidine appeared to be the most effective topical biocide, and MRSP and MDR‐PA were no less susceptible than antibiotic‐sensitive organisms. These results should, however, be confirmed with larger numbers of isolates.     

Microflora in traditional starter cultures for fermented milk, hurunge, from Inner Mongolia, China

Microflora were investigated in traditional starter cultures for fermented milk, hurunge, which are used for fermented dairy products by nomadic families in the Inner Mongolia Autonomic Region, China. The acid‐forming bacteria and yeast counts ranged from 1.8 × 10⁵ to 5.3 × 10⁸ c.f.u./g and from 6.1 × 10⁵ to 3.2 × 10⁶ c.f.u./g, respectively. Sixty‐six strains of lactic acid bacteria and 30 strains of yeasts were isolated and identified from three hurunge samples collected from the nomadic families. Lactococcus raffinolactis was the most predominant lactococci isolated from these samples. The other lactococci were Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis, Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris, and Leuconostoc mesenteroides ssp. cremoris. Two major lactobacilli strains, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus casei, were identified. In addition, Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens, Lactobacillus acetotolerans, which grew in 11% acetic acid culture medium, and Lactobacillus homohiochii, which grew in the culture medium containing 16% ethanol, were also identified. The isolated yeast strains were identified as Candida kefyr, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Kluyveromyces marxianus var. lactis, Candida krusei and Candida valida.     

Ruminal fermentation and microbial ecology of buffaloes and cattle fed the same diet

Although buffaloes and cattle are ruminants, their digestive capabilities and rumen microbial compositions are considered to be different. The purpose of this study was to compare the rumen microbial ecology of crossbred water buffaloes and cattle that were fed the same diet. Cattle exhibited a higher fermentation rate than buffaloes. Methane production and methanogen density were lower in buffaloes. Phylogenetic analysis of Fibrobacter succinogenes‐specific 16S ribosomal RNA gene clone library showed that the diversity of groups within a species was significantly different (P < 0.05) between buffalo and cattle and most of the clones were affiliated with group 2 of the species. Population densities of F. succinogenes, Ruminococcus albus and R. flavefaciens were higher until 6 h post‐feeding in cattle; however, buffaloes exhibited different traits. The population of anaerobic fungi decreased at 3 h in cattle compared to buffaloes and was similar at 0 h and 6 h. The diversity profiles of bacteria and fungi were similar in the two species. The present study showed that the profiles of the fermentation process, microbial population and diversity were similar in crossbred water buffaloes and crossbred cattle.