Comparative efficacies of oral ketoconazole and terbinafine for reducing Malassezia population sizes on the skin of Basset Hounds

The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of oral ketoconazole and terbinafine for reducing population sizes of Malassezia yeasts on canine skin. Twenty-one Basset Hounds were randomised in three groups of seven according to Malassezia populations. Dogs in the first group were treated by oral administration of ketoconazole (Ketofungol) 200 mg, Janssen-Cilag) at 10 mg x kg-1, every 24 h with food, for 3 weeks. Dogs in the second group were treated by oral administration of terbinafine (Lamisil) 250 mg, Novartis) at 30 mg x kg-1, every 24 h with food, for 3 weeks. The seven remaining dogs were used as controls. Malassezia population sizes were assessed by use of contact plates on four cutaneous sites at days 7, 14 and 21. Both ketoconazole and terbinafine were effective in reducing the baseline levels of Malassezia organisms with no significant difference between the two drugs. In further studies, oral terbinafine should be evaluated for the management of canine cases of Malassezia dermatitis.     

Skin and mucosal populations of Malassezia pachydermatis in healthy and seborrhoeic Basset Hounds

Quantitative and semiquantitative cultural techniques were used to study skin and mucosal carriage of Malassezia pachydermatis in 20 healthy mixed-breed dogs, 13 healthy Basset Hounds and 33 seborrhoeic Basset Hounds. The frequencies of isolation and population sizes from the axilla, nose, mouth and vulva were significantly greater ( P  < 0.01) in both groups of Basset Hounds when compared with the healthy mixed-breed dogs. Population sizes in the seborrhoeic Basset Hounds exceeded those of the healthy bassets at the nose ( P  < 0.05), vulva ( P  < 0.01) and axilla ( P  < 0.001). However, the frequencies of isolation and population sizes of the yeast from the anus were comparable in the three groups of dogs. The relatively high skin and mucosal populations in healthy Basset Hounds may explain, in part, the predisposition to ' Malassezia dermatitis' in this breed. However, the factors which enable the yeast to establish such high populations in Basset Hounds remain unclear.     

Numerical analysis on sparse solid particles’ motion in flow fields of different density

The three dimensional numerical solution for differential equation of motion of sparse solid particles in flow fields is derived. Taking free sedimentation of solid particles as an example, using dimensionless differential equation, the movement rule of solid particles in water and air is numerically analyzed. The contribution of Basset force on solid particles in different density flow fields is paid much attention to. The results show that the Basset force and drag force are in the same magnitude when solid particles move in water; the effect of Basset force can be neglected when solid particles move in the air; and the Basset force should be considered when river water source heat pump and the flow of silt particles are studied.     

Comparison of two sampling techniques to assess quantity and distribution of Malassezia yeasts on the skin of Basset Hounds

Cytological examination using the tape-strip technique and fungal culture using contact plates with modified Dixon's medium were compared to evaluate the carriage of Malassezia yeasts on four cutaneous sites (left pinna, umbilical region, axilla and perianal area) in adult Basset Hounds. Twenty animals were included in the study. High numbers of Malassezia were isolated from at least one area in 100% of the animals. The frequencies of isolation and population sizes differed significantly according to anatomical location. They were greater on the pinna, followed by the umbilical area, axilla and perianal area. Fungal culture was more sensitive than cytology for the isolation of Malassezia yeasts. Frequencies of isolation were greater using this method, but population sizes were constantly smaller than with cytology.