Comparison of media and conditions of incubation for the quantitative culture of Malassezia pachydermatis from canine skin

Fifty-five swab-wash specimens from dogs were cultured at 32°C on Sabouraud's dextrose agar either with or without 1 per cent Tween 80, Ushijima's medium A and modified Dixon's and Leeming's media. The counts of Malassezia pachydermatis were not significantly different after three or seven days of incubation. Colony counts on contact plates were significantly greater after incubation for seven days on Sabouraud's dextrose (P<0·001) and modified Dixon's agars (P<0·05) than after three days at 26°C, but not at 32°C. Counts on Sabouraud's or modified Dixon's agars after incubation at 32°C and 37°C were not significantly different. When compared with aerobic culture, an atmosphere containing 5 to 10 per cent carbon dioxide significantly (P<0·01) increased the frequency of isolation and colony counts on Sabouraud's dextrose agar but not on modified Dixon's agar.