THE DISTRIBUTION OF BACTERIA (OTHER THAN STAPHYLOCOCCI AND PROPIONIBACTERIUM-ACNES) ON THE HAIR, AT THE SKIN SURFACE AND WITHIN THE HAIR-FOLLICLES OF DOGS

The distribution of bacteria, other than staphylococci, on the hair sh aft, at the skin surface and within the hair follicles of eight dog is reported. On the hair shafts Micrococcus spp. and aerobic Gram-negati ve bacteria were most numerous, with mean counts ranging from 1.12 to 0.84 Log(10)(colony forming units + 1) cm(-1) respectively. Significan tly higher numbers (p < 0.05) of Gram-negative bacteria and Bacillus s p. were found proximally. At the skin surface Micrococcus spp., aerobi c Gram-negative bacteria and Clostridium spp. were the most numerous w ith mean counts of 0.62, 1.12 and 0.84 Log(10)(colony forming units 1) cm(-2), respectively. Significantly higher numbers (p < 0.05) of Mi crococcus spp. were found within the hair follicles than on the skin s urface (p < 0.05). Streptococci and Bacillus spp. were found on five a nd four dogs, respectively. Proteus spp., Pseudomonas spp. and Nocardi a spp. were occasionally found.