Canine Pyoderma Research Articles

Altered immunohistochemical staining for desmoglein in skin biopsies in canine pemphigus foliaceus.

In this study, 50 cases of canine pemphigus foliaceus and 49 cases of canine superficial pyoderma were examined by immunohistochemical staining for patterns of desmoglein expression. In 31/50 (62%) of pemphigus foliaceus cases, there was an altered staining pattern for desmoglein consisting of distinct clumped deposits at the periphery of keratinocytes and/or dark cytoplasmic staining of acantholytic cells (consistent with internalization of desmoglein). In contrast, desmoglein staining in biopsies from cases of superficial pyoderma was diffusely pale without evidence for clumping or distinct internalization. This study demonstrates that epidermal desmoglein expression is altered in some cases of pemphigus foliaceus in dogs and suggests that immunohistochemical staining for this protein may be useful in diagnosis.

Efficacy of once-daily clindamycin hydrochloride in the treatment of superficial bacterial pyoderma in dogs.

Twenty-one dogs with canine superficial bacterial pyoderma were treated with clindamycin at a dosage of approximately 11 mg/kg body weight, q 24 hours, given orally for 14 to 42 days. All dogs were reexamined on days 14, 28, and, if necessary, 42 and given a clinical score of excellent (i.e., complete remission), good (i.e., primary lesions resolved but secondary lesions evident), fair (i.e., partial improvement but primary lesions still evident), or poor (i.e., no improvement or worsening of the lesions). A clinical score of excellent was obtained in 71.4% (15/21) of the dogs in this study within 14 to 28 days.

Antimicrobial activity of enrofloxacin against Staphylococcus intermedius strains isolated from canine pyodermas.

This study examined and compared the minimal inhibition concentrations (MICs) of enrofloxacin against 393 Staphylococcus intermedius strains isolated in France from canine pyodermas during three different years, 1995 (174 isolates), 1997 (101 isolates) and 1999 (118 isolates). The MICs of enrofloxacin against these strains ranged from 0.063 to 64 mg L-1, with MIC50 and MIC90 equal to 0.125 and 0.25 mg L-1, respectively. Two resistant strains were found, but only among isolates collected in 1999. The data show that resistance to enrofloxacin among S. intermedius strains is still rare in dogs, but the selection in vitro of variants in which the MICs were increased 4-16-fold after 10 serial passages in subinhibitory concentrations of enrofloxacin suggests that inappropriate use might favour the development of resistant strains in vivo.

The use of fluoroquinolones in veterinary dermatology.

The fluoroquinolones are a group of antibiotics with considerable application for use in veterinary dermatology. They are rapidly bactericidal against a wide variety of clinically important organisms including Staphylococcus intermedius and gram-negative enteric bacilli by virtue of interference with the supercoiling of bacterial chromosomal material. Their favourable pharmacokinetic features make them applicable in many animal species, and in a range of dose formulations. The only major clinical contraindication is that fluoroquinolones should not be given to young, rapidly growing dogs as they can induce a noninflammatory, erosive arthropathy. For many years the only veterinary-labelled fluoroquinolone available was enrofloxacin. The selection of a fluoroquinolone has become more complex now that there are more choices available. Orbifloxacin, difloxacin and marbofloxacin now join enrofloxacin on the veterinary market, although not all of these are licensed in every country. The use of fluoroquinolones in dermatology remains controversial. The authors recommend that fluoroquinolones be considered in circumstances where canine pyoderma has been refractory to appropriate 'first line' antibiotics. They are most useful in the management of recurrent pyoderma and in chronic, deep pyoderma with extensive scar tissue. In addition, fluouroquinolones frequently are the drugs of choice for canine ear infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The properties and use of penicillins in the veterinary field, with special reference to skin infections in dogs and cats.

The use of the penicillins in veterinary dermatology is discussed. An outline is provided of the main penicillins used in the veterinary field. These include benzyl penicillin, penicillin V, ampicillin, amoxycillin, co-amoxiclav and oxacillin. An increase in β-lactamase production among strains of Staphylococcus intermedius, the principal canine pathogen in pyoderma, has been seen in recent years. Thus only those penicillins with resistance to β-lactamase (co-amoxiclav or isoxazolyl penicillins) are likely to be of value in treating canine pyoderma. However, feline, porcine and equine staphylococcal dermatoses, and other veterinary dermatoses such as the actinomycoses, dermatophilosis and erysipelothrix, usually respond well to most penicillins, whether or not they resist β-lactamase.

Post-antibiotic effect of cephalexin against isolates of Staphylococcus intermedius obtained from cases of canine pyoderma.

The post-antibiotic effect in vitro (PAE) of cephalexin was determined according to a broth dilution method against 5 isolates of Staphylococcus intermedius obtained from cases of canine pyoderma. Two durations of exposure and 3 concentrations were tested. The PAE increased when time of exposure or concentration increased. The mean PAE ranged from 0.7 to 3.3 h. The PAE of cephalexin against Staph-ylococcus intermedius may be clinically relevant when selecting a dosage regimen to treat pyoderma in dogs.

Cephalosporins - pharmacological basis of clinical use in veterinary dermatology.

Cephalosporins form a large group of β-lactam antibiotics which are used extensively in human medicine and to a lesser extent in domestic animals. In veterinary dermatology, the principle use for the cephalosporins is the clinical management of canine pyoderma associated with Staphylococcus intermedius. In practice, the use of orally administered first generation cephalosporin drugs to affected dogs is well tolerated and highly efficacious. Bacterial drug resistance appears to occur rarely.

Clindamycin hydrochloride and clavulanate-amoxycillin in the treatment of canine superficial pyoderma

A masked, randomised, controlled clinical trial for the treatment of canine superficial pyoderma was undertaken. Dogs with a clinical diagnosis of superficial pyoderma, supported by bacterial culture were admitted to...

Elimination of Staphylococcus intermedius in healthy dogs by topical treatment with fusidic acid.

Cutaneous and mucosal carriage of Staphylococcus intermedius was investigated in six healthy beagles before and after application of fusidic acid to mucosal surfaces as 1 per cent viscous eye drops twice daily for seven days. Bacterial populations were determined repeatedly over four weeks using quantitative techniques. The overall cutaneous populations of S intermedius reduced significantly (P < 0.001) two days after treatment but returned to pretreatment levels after a further week. The mucosal frequency of S intermedius reduced significantly (P < 0.01) two days after treatment and remained reduced (P < 0.01) at the end of the study. The mucosal populations were also reduced (P < 0.01) two days after treatment and remained lower (P < 0.05) after a further week. No such changes occurred in the control group of six beagles. The study indicates the importance of mucosae as carriage sites for S intermedius in dogs. This form of therapy may be useful as an additional tool against canine recurrent pyoderma.

Treatment of canine pyoderma with co-amoxyclav: a comparison of two dose rates

The efficacy of oral co-amoxyclav, administered twice daily for up to 12 weeks either at the manufacturer's dose rate of 12.5 mg/kg or at 25.0 mg/kg, in curing the lesions...

An investigation of phagocytosis and intracellular killing of Staphylococcus intermedius by canine neutrophils in vitro

Bacterial infection (pyoderma) of the canine skin is largely caused by Staphylococcus intermedius and may be a primary, idiopathic disease or secondary to a range of other dermatological disorders. The immune response to this organism involves phagocytosis and killing by neutrophils. In this study, the effect of opsonisation of S. intermedius by clinical sera ( n = 60) and sera from normal dogs ( n = 20) was investigated by in vitro phagocytosis and killing assays. All sera from dogs with pyoderma were significantly more efficient at opsonisation for phagocytosis than normal dog sera ( p < 0.001). Further, fresh serum was more effective at opsonisation of S. intermedius than heat-inactivated serum in this assay ( p < 0.001). The results indicate that opsonisation is enhanced by serum from dogs with pyoderma; therefore the humoral response in clinical cases of canine pyoderma is, in terms of phagocytosis, protective. The small but significant reduction in phagocytosis of S. intermedius opsonised by heat-inactivated serum compared to fresh frozen serum suggests that complement plays a role, although minor, in opsonisation. An in vitro killing assay showed that normal canine neutrophils were able to effectively kill phagocytosed S. intermedius over a 90-min time course, but there was no significant enhancement of killing by prior incubation of the bacteria with any clinical serum as opposed to normal sera. This suggests that the humoral response to S. intermedius does not affect intracellular killing per se.

Topical treatment of canine and feline pyoderma.

Abstract This paper is a review of commonly used topical antibacterial medications: benzoyl peroxide, chlorhexidine, povidone iodine, ethyl lactate, triclosan, mupirocin, neomycin, polymyxin B, bacitracin and fusidic acid. Included is a review of the pharmacokinetics, modes of action, adverse effects and clinical uses in veterinary dermatology. General recommendations for topical antibacterial therapy are presented. Résumé- Cet article est une revue des topiques antibactériens les plus couramment utilisés: peroxyde de benzoyle, chlorhexidine, povidone iodée, lactate d'éthyle, triclosan, mupirocine, néomycine, polymyxine B, bacitracine et acide fucidique. Il inclut notamment une revue des pharmacocinétiques, des modes d'action, des effets secondaires et des indications thérapeutiques de ces produits en dermatologie vétérinaire. Les indications générales du traitement topique antibactérien sont présentées. [Guaguere, E. Topical treatment of canine and feline pyoderma. (Traitement topique des pyodermites canines et félines). Veterinary Dermatology 1996; 7: 145-151.] Resumen Este articulo es una revisión de los productos tópicos antibacterianos más frecuentemente utilizados: peróxido de benzoilo, clorhexidina, povidona yodada, etillactato, triclosan, mupirocina, neomicina, polimixina B, bacitracina y ácido fusidico. Se incluye una revisión de la farmacocinética, mecanismos de acción, efectos colaterales y sus usos clínicos en dermatologia veterinaria. Se presentan recomendaciones generales para la terapia antibacteriana tópica. [Guaguere, E. Topical treatment of canine and feline pyoderma. (Tratamiento topico de la pioderma canina y felina). Veterinary Dermatology 1996; 7: 145-151.] Zusammenfassung- Diese Veröffentlichung besteht in einer Übersicht von häufig verwendeten topischen antibakteriellen Arzneimitteln: Benzoylperoxid, Chlorhexidin, Povidon-Jod, Ethyllaktat, Triklosan, Mupirocin, Neomycin, Polymyxin B, Bacitracin und Fusidinsäure. Mit eingeschlossen ist eine Übersicht über Pharmakokinetik, Wirkungsweise, Nebenwirkungen und klinische Anwendung in der Veterinärdermatologie. Allgemeine Empfehlungen für die lokale antibakterielle Therapie werden dargestellt. [Guaguere, E. Topical treatment of canine and feline pyoderma (Lokale Behandlung von kaninen und felinen Pyodermien). Veterinary Dermatology 1996; 7: 145-151.].

Tylosin in the treatment of canine superficial pyoderma.

Thirty dogs with superficial pyoderma were treated orally with tylosin at a dose of 20 mg/kg twice daily for three weeks. Staphylococcus intermedius was recovered from 21 (70 per cent) of the dogs. Twenty-two of the dogs were free of clinical signs after three weeks of treatment and two dogs responded to a further two weeks of treatment, giving a total response rate of 80 per cent. Five cases (16.6 per cent) failed to respond and three of these subsequently responded to other antibacterial treatment. One dog suffered transient gastritis after the doses of tylosin and subsequently responded to a different antibacterial agent.

Comparative ribotyping of Staphylococcus intermedius from dogs, pigeons, horses and mink

Strains of Staphylococcus (S.) intermedius from dogs, pigeons, horses and mink were typed by comparison of rRNA gene restriction fragment length polymorphisms (ribotyping) and the resulting ribotypes examined by cluster-analysis. Digestion of whole-cell DNA with HindIII resulted in 9 ribotypes with 3 to 4 bands. Separation of isolates from different host animal species was not possible. EcoRI yielded 11 different patterns with 4 to 9 fragments. The EcoRI-ribotypes of all canine strains grouped in one cluster encompassing four closely related ribotypes. Isolates were indistinguishable with respect to their origin from cases of canine pyoderma or from healthy carriers. In contrast, pigeon and equine strains expressed a greater variety of ribotypes including some strains with patterns similar to canine isolates. However, for canine versus pigeon and equine strains the difference in distribution among ribotypes was significant ( P < 0.001). The data might suggest that pigeons and horses carry S. intermedius transiently and might be able to spread these bacteria to other animal species.

In vitro indices of tissue adherence in Staphylococcus intermedius

In vitro indices of adherence showed that strains of Staphylococcus intermedius from lesions of canine pyoderma differed from strains isolated from normal carrier sites in that a significantly greater proportion of pyoderma strains adhered to extracellular matrix proteins whilst fewer adhered to polystyrene. Slime production and a hydrophobicity index did not differ between the groups. This suggests that exposure of extracellular matrix proteins due to underlying disease may result in the selection of a narrower spectrum of strains from amongst those at carrier sites.

Chloramphenicol resistance in Staphylococcus intermedius from a single veterinary centre: evidence for plasmid and chromosomal location of the resistance genes

A total of seven Staphylococcus intermedius cultures isolated from cases of canine pyoderma were investigated for the genetic basis of chloramphenicol resistance (Cm r). All of these S. intermedius isolates mediated Cm r via the expression of the Cm-inactivating enzyme chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT); the respective cat genes were found to be located on small multicopy plasmids of 3.1 to 4.1 kb in four of the seven cultures. The four Cm r plasmids, designated pSCS20–23, differed upon restriction endonuclease mapping. Hybridization experiments identified all of them to belong to the pC221-family of staphylococcal Cm r plasmids. The expression of all four plasmid-encoded cat genes was inducible with chloramphenicol. The remaining three S. intermedius isolates also harboured an inducible cat gene of the pC221-type which, however, was found to be located in the chromosomal DNA. These differences in the subcellular localisation and consequently in the number of cat gene copies per S. intermedius cell had no influence on the MIC values of Cm exhibited by the respective S. intermedius isolates.

Characterization of Staphylococcus intermedius from healthy dogs and cases of superficial pyoderma by DNA restriction endonuclease patterns

In order to study the possible clonal relation of Staphylococcus (S.) intermedius from canine superficial pyoderma and from healthy carriers, isolates from pustular swabs and from vaginal, nasal and normal skin swabs were typed using macrorestriction analysis with Sma I and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. From the size of the resulting fragments the size of the chromosomes of S. intermedius could be determined to be roughly 1500 ± 200 kb on the average. The fingerprints were very heterogeneous though characteristically distinct from patterns of (human) S. aureus as published by others. Strains from superficial pyoderma were not found to be more similar to each other than strains from healthy carriers. Therefore it was concluded that strains from this type of skin infection probably did not belong to a certain subpopulation of S. intermedius, which might have indicated a higher virulence of these strains.

Characterisation of Staphylococcus intermedius isolates from canine pyoderma and from healthy carriers by SDS-PAGE of exoproteins, immunoblotting and restriction endonuclease digest analysis

Ten Staphylococcus intermedius isolates from cases of canine pyoderma and 10 from healthy carriers were examined by SDS-PAGE of exoproteins, immunoblotting and restriction endonuclease digest analysis. Similarities between banding patterns of the isolates were calculated as Dice coefficients for all three methods. For SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting, no significant differentiation was found between the pyoderma and "healthy" groups. Analysis of DNA digested with BglII indicated that S. intermedius is genetically heterogeneous; Dice coefficients for the pyoderma group were distinct from those for the healthy group (p < 0.001), and cluster analysis confirmed that the pyoderma isolates (9) formed a group separate from the majority (6 of 9) of the normal isolates.

A Blinded Comparison of the Efficacy of Daily and Twice Daily Trimethoprim‐Sulfadiazine and Daily Sulfadimethoxine‐Ormetoprim Therapy in the Treatment of Canine Pyoderma

Abstract— In a blinded trial to determine the efficacy of potentiated sulfa drugs in the treatment of canine pyoderma, 50 dogs with superficial pyoderma were randomly assigned to receive either once or twice daily trimethoprim‐sulfadiazine (30mg.kg‐1) or once daily sulfadimethoxine‐ormetoprim (55mg.kg‐1 on the first day, then 27.5 mg.kg‐1 thereafter). Dogs were evaluated prior to antibiotic therapy. Clinical efficacy of the antibiotic was assessed after 3 weeks of antibiotic therapy and, if needed, after 6 weeks of antibiotic therapy. Forty‐five dogs completed the study; 43 dogs were used in the statistical analysis. The percentage of dogs that were cured of their pyoderma with once daily trimethoprim‐sulfadiazine was 38.5% by 3 weeks and 75.9% by 6 weeks. With twice daily trimethoprim‐sulfadiazine, 57.1 and 78.6% of dogs were cured by 3 and 6 weeks, respectively. With once daily sulfadimethoxine‐ormetoprim, 75.0 and 100% of dogs were cured by 3 and 6 weeks, respectively. This difference was not statistically significant, possibly due to the low sample size. Few adverse effects were noted.Résumé— Dans une étude en double aveugle pour apprécier l'efficacité des sulfamides potentialisés dans le traitement des pyodermites canines, cinquante chiens présentant une pyodermite superficielle ont reçu, au hasard, soit deux fois ou une fois par jour du triméthoprime‐sulfadiazine (30 mg.kg‐1) ou une fois par jour du sulfadiméthoxine‐ormétoprime (55mg.kg‐1 le premier jour, puis 27.5 mg.kg‐1). Les chiens ont étéévalués avant le traitement. L'efficacité clinique de l'antibiotique a été appréciée après 3 semaines de traitement et, si besion est, après 6 semaines. Le pourcentage de chiens guéris avec une prise quotidienne de triméthoprime‐sulfadiazine était de 33.5%à 3 semaines et 75.9%à 6 semaines. Avec des prises biquotidiennes de triméthoprime‐sulfadiazine 57.1% et 78.6% des chiens étaint guéris à 3 et 6 semaines. Avec une prise quotidienne de sulfadiméthoxine‐ormétoprime, 75.0% et 100.0% des chiens étaient guéris à 3 et 6 semaines. Cette différence n'était pais statistiquement significative, probablement à cause de la taille trop faible de l'échantilon. Très peu d'effects secondaires ont été notés.Zusammenfassung— Für eine Blindstudie zur Bestimmung der Wirksamkeit von potenzierten Sulfonamidpräparaten bei der Behandlung kaniner Pyrodermie wurden 50 Hunde mit oberflächlicher Pyodermie zufällig ausgewählt, um entweder einmal oder zweimal täglich Trimethoprim‐Sulfadiazin (30mg/kg) oder einmal täglich Sulfadimethoxin‐Ormetoprim zu erhalten (55 mg/kg am ersten Tag, danach 27,5 mg/kg). Die Hunde wurden vor der antibotischen Therapie untersucht. Die klinische Wirksamkeit der Antibiose wurde nach 3 Wochen antibiotischer Therapie und, wenn nötig, nach 6 Wochen antibiotischer Therapie ausgewertet. 45 Hunde durchliefen die Studie vollständig; 43 Hunde fanden in die statistische Analyse Eingang. Der Prozentsatz der Hunde, deren Pyrodermie durch einmal tägliches Trimethoprim‐Sulfadiazin geheilt wurde, lag bei 38,5% nach 3 Wochen und bei 75,9% nach 6 Wochen. Bei zweimaliger Trimethoprim‐Sulfadiazin‐Verabreichung wurden 57,1% und 78,6% der Hunde nach 3 bzw. 6 Wochen geheilt. Mit einer einmal täglichen Verabreichung von. Sulfadimethoxin‐Ormetoprim wurden 75,0% und 100% der Hunde nach 3 bzw. 6 Wochen geheilt. Dieser Unterschied war statistisch nicht signifikant, möglicherweise aufgrund der geringen Fallzahlen. Es wurden nur wenige Nebenwirkungen festgestellt.Resumen A cincuenta perros que presentaban pioderma superficial se les evaluó para la eficacia de antibioticos potenciados de tipo sulfamídico en el tratamiento del pioderma canino, por medio de la administración de una a dos veces diarias de trimetoprim‐sulfadiazina (30 mg/kg), o sulfadimetoxinaormetoprim una vez al día (55 mg/kg en al primer día, y 27.5 mg/kg después de la primera dosis). Los animales se examinaron antes del tratamiento con antibióticos. La eficacia clínica del tratamiento se evaluó a las tres o seis semanas en los casos necesarios. Cuarenta y cinco de los perros completaron el estudio; 43 se utilizaron en analisis estadísticos. El porcentaje de perros curados con el tratamiento diario a base de trimetoprim‐sulfadiazina fué del 38.5% a las 3 semanas, y 75.9% a las 6 semanas. De los animales tratados dos veces al día con trimetoprim‐sulfadiazina, el porcentaje de cura fue del 57.1% y 78.6%, a las 3 y 6 semanas respectivamente. Con el tratamiento a base de sulfadimetoxina‐ormetoprim una vez al día, 75.0% y 100% de los perros fueron curados a las tres y seis semanas. La diferencia no se encontró estadísticamente significativa, posiblemente debido al reducido número de perros evaluados. Se observaron posas reacciones adversas a la medicación.

Proteolytic Zymograms ofStaphylococcus intermediusIsolates from Cases of Canine Pyoderma and Healthy Carriers

The extracellular proteases of Staphylococcus intermedius were separated on native polyacrylamide gels and characterised by relative mobility using zymograms showing caseinolysis. No clear differences between isolates from cases of canine pyoderma and healthy carriers were demonstrated. Keywords: Staphylococcus intermedius ; Staphylococci; Canine pyoderma; Virulence; Protease.