Seborrhoeic dermatitis in a goat due to Malassezia pachydermatis

A 6-year-old female goat was presented with a seborrhoeic dermatosis of 5 months duration. The condition developed following a severe enteritis associated with weight loss. Dermatological examination showed a generalized greasy seborrhoeic dermatosis, which spared the head and extremities of the limbs. Microscopic examination of impression smears of lesional skin revealed numerous yeasts typical of Malassezia sp. Culture on Sabouraud's dextrose agar yielded Malassezia pachydermatis growth. Histopathological examination of haematoxylin/eosin and safranin (HES) stained sections of biopsies showed mild lymphocytic superficial perivascular hyperplastic dermatitis. Numerous budding yeasts were visible both on the surface, and follicular keratin, in HES and periodic acid Schiff (PAS) stained sections. A dramatic response was observed after 1 week of a topical anti-Malassezia treatment, and the resolution of the condition was complete after 4 weeks.