L. Saijonmaakoulumies et al., ELIMINATION OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS-INTERMEDIUS IN HEALTHY DOGS BY TOPICAL TREATMENT WITH FUSIDIC ACID, Journal of Small Animal Practice, 39(7), 1998, pp. 341-347
Cutaneous and mucosal carriage of Staphylococcus intermedius was inves
tigated in six healthy beagles before and after application of fusidic
acid to mucosal surfaces as 1 per cent viscous eye drops twice daily
for seven days. Bacterial populations were determined repeatedly over
four weeks using quantitative techniques. The overall cutaneous popula
tions of S intermedius reduced significantly (P<0.01) two days after t
reatment but returned to pretreatment levels after a further week. The
mucosal frequency of S intermedius reduced significantly (P<0.001) tw
o days after treatment and remained reduced (P<0.01) at the end of the
study. The mucosal populations were also reduced (P<0.01) two days af
ter treatment and remained lower (P<0.05) after a further week. No suc
h changes occurred in the control group of six beagles. The study indi
cates the importance of mucosae as carriage sites for S intermedius in
dogs. This form of therapy may be useful as an additional tool agains
t canine recurrent pyoderma.