The Distribution of Staphylococcus intermedius and Coagulase-negative Staphylococci on the Hair, Skin Surface, within the Hair Follicles and on the Mucous Membranes of Dogs

Abstract— The distribution of Staphylococcus intermedius and coagulase-negative staphylococci on the hair, skin surface, within the hair follicles and on the mucous membranes of a group of dogs is reported. Staphylococcus intermedius was recovered in higher numbers from the distal hair (mean 0.5 log₁₀ colony forming units plus one C.F.U. g^-1]) rather than the proximal hair (mean 0.13 log₁₀ C.F.U. g^-1), P = 0.01. Staphylococcus intermedius was recovered in higher numbers from the hair follicle (mean 0.11 log₁₀ C.F.U. g^-1) rather than the skin surface (mean 0.02 log₁₀ C.F.U. g^-1), P = 0.02. No such difference was found for coagulase-negative staphylococci. Differences were not found in the distribution of either Staphylococcus intermedius or coagulase-negative staphylococci on the mucous membranes.