Prevalence and clinical characteristics of Malassezia infection in dogs and cats in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Mohammad Bayazid Bostami, Sayma Mahmud Moon, Aparna Datta, Mizanur Rahman, Abdul Mannan and Md. Osman Khan
Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 2026, 12(3), 52-65 · DOI https://doi.org/10.3329/ajmbr.v12i3.85471
Malassezia species are commensal yeasts inhabiting the skin and external ear canals of dogs and cats but can become opportunistic pathogens under predisposing conditions, leading to dermatitis and otitis externa. This study investigated the distribution and clinical characteristics of Malassezia infections, with or without concurrent bacterial involvement, in companion animals presented to the Teaching and Training Pet Hospital and Research Centre, Dhaka, Bangladesh. A total of 203 clinically suspected cases were evaluated over a two-year period (January 2022–December 2023) using cytological examination of skin and ear samples stained with Giemsa. Among the diagnosed cases, dogs accounted for 60% and cats for 40%, with male animals representing a slightly greater proportion of cases than females. Adult animals aged 3–6 years comprised the largest age group (45.81%). Local dogs represented the highest proportion of canine cases, whereas Persian cats were the most frequently affected feline breed. Lesions were most commonly observed in the ear pinnae and external ear canals (27.59%), followed by the ventral trunk (23.15%), dorsal trunk (14.78%), generalized dermatitis (14.29%), axillae (6.90%), neck (5.42%), perineal region (4.43%), and interdigital spaces (3.45%). Cytological examination demonstrated the characteristic footprint- or peanut-shaped budding yeast cells of Malassezia, and concurrent bacterial infection was detected in 57% of cases. The findings indicate that Malassezia-associated dermatitis and otitis are common clinical conditions among companion animals presented to this referral hospital, with mixed bacterial infections occurring frequently. This study provides baseline epidemiological and clinical data on Malassezia infections in dogs and cats in Bangladesh and highlights the diagnostic value of routine cytological examination in veterinary practice. The findings further emphasize the importance of early recognition, investigation of underlying predisposing factors, and appropriate management of concurrent bacterial infections to improve treatment outcomes. These baseline data may also support future molecular epidemiological studies, antifungal resistance surveillance, and the development of evidence-based diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for companion animal dermatology in Bangladesh.
