A REVIEW OF THE BIOLOGY OF CANINE SKIN WITH RESPECT TO THE COMMENSALSSTAPHYLOCOCCUS-INTERMEDIUS, DEMODEX-CANIS AND MALASSEZIA-PACHYDERMATIS

Skin disease associated with the cutaneous commensal organisms Staphyl ococcus intermedius, Malassezia pachydermatis and Demodex canis is fre quently encountered in veterinary medicine. In treatment the aim is el imination of the commensal, but recurrence of skin disease is not unus ual. In this review, these potentially pathogenic commensals and their ecology are discussed with particular reference to skin biology and t he surface ecosystem. The strategies employed by the micro-organisms f or survival and the defence mechanisms of the host are considered. Dis ease occurs when the virulence of the commensal overwhelms the resista nce of the host. It is hoped that an understanding of the complex natu re of the skin and its commensals will lead to a better understanding of those diseases associated with commensals and in consequence more e ffective treatment.