Influence of a phytosphingosine-containing chlorhexidine shampoo on superficial bacterial counts and bacterial adherence to canine keratinocytes

Efficacy of olanexidine gluconate in canine superficial pyoderma: a randomised, single-blinded controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Topical treatments can be beneficial for managing canine superficial pyoderma. A novel antiseptic agent, olanexidine gluconate, has become available recently for use in humans, and its efficacy for canine pyoderma as topical therapy is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

The antimicrobial effect of olanexidine was evaluated using minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) towards Staphylococcus pseudintermedius. Furthermore, its clinical efficacy in canine superficial pyoderma was assessed in a randomized, single-blinded study.

ANIMALS

Twenty-eight client-owned dogs with atopic dermatitis and superficial pyoderma.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

The MIC of olanexidine was determined for S. pseudintermedius isolates (n=73) by serial dilution of 96-well broth microdilution method. Regarding the clinical trial, all recruited dogs were randomized into two groups; one treated with 1.5% olanexidine spray once daily and the other with a 3% chlorhexidine shampoo once a week for 2 times, respectively. Clinical assessment was performed at days 0 and 14 according to the guidelines of the Japanese Society of Antimicrobials for Animals.

RESULTS

The MIC values for methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP) and methicillin-sensitive S. pseudintermedius (MSSP) were 0.23 μg/ml and 0.24 μg/ml (P =0.9), respectively. In clinical trial, olanexidine and chlorhexidine showed substantial improvement in clinical presentation compared to the baseline.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Olanexidine showed comparable efficacy to chlorhexidine (P=0.73). Moreover, the MIC against S. pseudintermedius indicated high bactericidal activity, which was supported by the topical effectiveness of olanexidine.

Clinical efficacy of artificially carbonated water bathing on superficial bacterial folliculitis in dogs

BACKGROUND

Bathing with artificially carbonated water is reported to be a valuable therapeutic option for various human skin disorders.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of artificially carbonated water bathing on superficial bacterial folliculitis (SBF) caused by Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (SP) in dogs.

ANIMALS

Nineteen dogs with SBF from whom SP was isolated from skin lesions were enrolled.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Dogs with SBF were allocated randomly to either the artificially carbonated water bathing group or the control group bathed with tap water. The dogs were bathed with the designated water type on day (D)0, D7 and D14. Clinical scores and skin surface pH were evaluated on D0 and D21. Colony forming unit (cfu) assays were performed in vitro to investigate whether the artificially carbonated water affected growth of clinical SP isolates.

RESULTS

The mean rate of improvement in the clinical scores was significantly higher in the carbonated water group than in the control group. Dogs bathed with carbonated water exhibited significant decreases in their skin surface pH after bathing; dogs bathed with tap water did not. No dogs experienced significant adverse events. The cfus of SP incubated in vitro with artificially carbonated water did not significantly differ from those incubated with tap water.

CONCLUSION

Bathing with artificially carbonated water might be an effective and safe adjunctive therapy for canine SP-induced SBF.

Performance of Daily Pads Containing Ophytrium and Chlorhexidine Digluconate 3% in Dogs With Local Cutaneous Bacterial and/or Malassezia Overgrowth

Local disturbances of the microbiota are common in dogs with underlying skin conditions. Antiseptic topical products are indicated to control such superficial disorders. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of a daily application of pads containing Ophytrium and chlorhexidine digluconate 3% (DOUXO® S3 PYO Pads, Ceva Santé Animale, France) in dogs with focal bacterial and/or Malassezia overgrowth. Eighteen dogs with focal skin dysbiosis were included in the analysis of this prospective, multicentric, field study. Dogs received daily pad applications for 14 days. Bacterial and/or Malassezia counts per microscopic field and a global score of the most affected patch (0-17 scale based on extension, severity, bacterial, and Malassezia cytological scores) were assessed by a veterinarian and pruritus by the owner (Pruritus Visual Analog Scale) on days (D)0, D7, D14. Owner and veterinarian evaluations for performance and satisfaction were recorded. Eleven dogs had primarily cocci overgrowth and seven mostly Malassezia. Mean bacterial and Malassezia counts decreased after 14 days (6.9-1.1; 7.6-1.5, respectively); 88.9% of dogs achieved a ≥70% microbial decrease and had ≤2 bacteria and ≤1 Malassezia per oil field. Mean global score of the most affected patch and pruritus score significantly improved at D14, respectively, from 8.6 to 2.6 and 4.5 to 1.2 (P < 0.05 each, mean improvements of 70.4 and 71.4%, respectively). Global veterinary assessment of the protocol was satisfactory, good, or excellent in 88.9% of cases. Most owners (94.4%) considered the protocol efficacious. Using a pad containing Ophytrium and chlorhexidine digluconate 3% daily for 14 days improved the skin condition and pruritus of dogs with local dysbiosis, resulting in high satisfaction levels for both veterinarians and dog owners.

Preliminary evaluation of two bathing methods for the management of Malassezia overgrowth in dogs with atopic dermatitis

BACKGROUND

Antifungal shampoos are widely used for canine Malassezia dermatitis. Few studies have evaluated effective bathing methods for atopic dogs with Malassezia overgrowth.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy of an emollient bathing product (AFLOAT VET) and 2% miconazole/2% chlorhexidine shampoo (2% MIC/CHX) in atopic dogs, and to evaluate the influence on skin barrier function of both products in healthy dogs.

ANIMALS

Sixteen atopic dogs with secondary Malassezia overgrowth and 11 healthy dogs.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

This study was a randomized, single-blinded trial. The dogs were randomly treated with either emollient bathing or 2% MIC/CHX, twice weekly for four weeks. Clinical assessment used the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index, 4^th iteration (CADESI-04), pruritus Visual Analog Scale (pVAS), and cytological evaluation of yeast numbers at Day (D)0, D14 and D28. Skin barrier function was determined by measuring transepidermal water loss (TEWL) after a single bathing procedure with each product in the healthy dogs.

RESULTS

The pVAS scores and yeast counts were significantly reduced on D28 compared with D0 in both groups (P < 0.05). CADESI-04 was significantly decreased on D28 in the emollient bathing group (P = 0.003). There were no significant differences in each endpoint score between the groups. In healthy dogs, TEWL was significantly increased after bathing in both groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

An emollient bathing product can be effective for Malassezia overgrowth in dogs with atopic dermatitis. Bathing with shampoo products might affect skin barrier function even when using an emollient product.

A review of topical therapy for skin infections with bacteria and yeast

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous infections with bacteria and yeasts are common in small animal practice. Treatment with systemic antibiotics or antifungal agents may not be ideal, because of the increasing development of multiresistant organisms, the cost and the possible adverse effects. Topical antimicrobials may be used as adjunctive therapy to systemic treatment or as sole therapy instead of systemic treatment.

OBJECTIVE

This literature review evaluated studies on topical antimicrobial treatment of skin infections.

METHODS

In vitro and in vivo studies evaluating topical antimicrobial agents were identified using a number of electronic and manual searches of textbooks and articles. Studies were evaluated, and the evidence for or against the use of the topical agents was extracted.

RESULTS

There is good evidence for the efficacy of chlorhexidine and, to a lesser degree, benzoyl peroxide in canine bacterial skin infections. There is limited evidence for the efficacy of silver sulfadiazine and medical honey against bacterial skin infections in the dog, and for the efficacy of hydrogen peroxide and stannous fluoride in the horse. Good evidence supports the use of a combination of chlorhexidine and miconazole in dogs with cutaneous Malassezia infections. There is insufficient evidence to recommend any other topical therapy for use in cutaneous infections.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Although many antimicrobial topicals are marketed in veterinary dermatology, the efficacy has been reported for only a minority of agents. Randomized controlled trials evaluating various topical treatments are therefore urgently needed.

Double-blinded, placebo-controlled study to evaluate an antipruritic shampoo for dogs with allergic pruritus

Shampoo therapy is frequently used on pruritic dogs. However, there are few double-blinded, placebo-controlled studies of this form of therapy. This randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study evaluated the efficacy of a commercial medicated shampoo (DermaTopic; Almapharm) containing chlorhexidine, lactoferrin, piroctone olamine, chitosan and essential fatty acids in 27 dogs with mild to moderate allergic pruritus without secondary skin infections. All dogs received shampoo therapy with either DermaTopic or a shampoo vehicle as placebo twice weekly for four weeks. The extent of pruritus was evaluated before the study and then on a daily basis by the owners using a visual analogue scale. Before beginning the treatment and after four weeks, the skin lesions were evaluated by an experienced clinician with a validated lesion score (Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index - CADESI). The pruritus was reduced significantly by both DermaTopic and placebo. However, there was no significant difference between both groups. There was no statistically significant difference in the CADESI scores pre- and post-treatment in either group or between the two types of treatment. This study provides further evidence of the benefit of shampoo therapy for pruritic dogs.