2. Skin diseases - Superficial and deep folliculitis, Furunculosis Flashcards
What is Superficial folliculitis?
Bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the hair follicle and hair loss
What are primary and secondary causes for development of Superficial folliculitis?
Primary - Staphylococcus intermedius following skin trauma
Secondary - More common. Bacterial infection due to underlying problem (secondary) that alters the skin’s resistance to infection?
What are typical secondary problems developed from secondary bacterial infection?
- Skin problems - Allergy, seborrhoea, excessive moisture
- Hormonal disorders - Low thyroid levels, Cushing’s disease, Diabetes mellitus
- Immunologic abnormalities and drugs
What clinical signs for superficial folliculitis?
“Follicular pustules”
- Pustules surrounding the hair follicle
- Circular areas of alopecia, pustules and crusts
- Seen in inguinal and ventral abdominal areas that may extend to the axillary and ventro-lateral thorax
- Often a moth-eaten appearance
How can superficial folliculitis be diagnoses?
History, clinical examination.
Cytology – Diff Quick (Neu, MO, bacterial rods & cocci), skin scrapings, bacterial culture, fungal culture, skin biopsy, blood culture if sepsis is suspected
What is treatment for superficial folliculitis?
- 2x weekly bathing in Benzoyl peroxide shampoo
- Systemic ATB for a minimum of 3 weeks + 1 week following resolution of clinical signs.
- Any underlying or associated conditions should also be controlled.
What is deep folliculitis?
Deep inflammation of hair follicles
What is furunculosis?
Follicular infection that breaks through the hair
How can deep folliculitis be characterized?
- By deep pustules (furuncles) that arise from the rupture and necrosis of follicular pus-filled sacs,
from keratinized hair remants + infectious foci, which inflammatory cells find hard to penetrate.
What is the primary cause of infection of deep folliculitis?
Bacteria
Staphylococcus intermedius
Except for the primary bacteria Staphylococcus what is secondary bacteria that may cause infection of Deep folliculitis?
Proteus spp.
Pseudomonas spp.
E. coli
What type of disease is deep folliculitis?
Rarely a primary disease and is usually associated with an underlying condition
What are clinical signs of deep folliculitis?
Early signs - superficial pyoderma / folliculitis
Large and nodular papules and pustules, exudation and crust formation. Ulceration and drainage tracts with serohemorrhagic crusts and bullae, hair loss.
How can deep folliculitis be diagnosed?
History, clinical examination.
Cytology – Diff Quick (Neu, MO, bacterial rods & cocci), skin scrapings, bacterial culture, fungal culture, skin biopsy, blood culture if sepsis is suspected
How can deep folliculitis be treated?
- Topical – clip hair, bathe 2x daily with chlorhexidine for 1-2 weeks, as clinical response seen, reduce bathing to 1-2x weekly with benzoyl peroxide shampoo for 4-8 weeks.
- Systemic – ATB based on culture & sensitivity: 6-8 weeks – enrofloxacin (5-10mg/kg), erythromycin, cephalopsporins, potentiated sulphonamides. Continue treatment for 2 weeks following resolution of CS.
Some dogs are prone to experience a severe infection, premature termination of the therapy guarantees a severe relapse of the disease.
