Studies in bacterial adherence to canine and feline corneocytes

Lu, Yi-Fang (2004) Studies in bacterial adherence to canine and feline corneocytes. MVM(R) thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

In the first chapter of this thesis a three-year retrospective survey showed 41% of dogs referred to the University of Glasgow Veterinary School for investigation of skin disease were diagnosed as suffering from pyoderma with 62% of these cases being associated with atopic dermatitis. In contrast, pyoderma was rarely diagnosed in the cat. The study confirmed the importance of canine pyoderma and its common association with atopic dermatitis. Although canine pyoderma due to Staphylococcus intermedius is common, it is poorly understood. Adhesion by staphylococci has been suggested as a potentially important factor in the establishment of infection. As many assays to quantify adhesion by bacteria are both tedious and time consuming this has hampered studies in this interesting area. Chapters two and three detail the development of a simple adhesion assay to quickly quantify bacterial adhesion to canine and feline corneocytes. As far as the author can determine there is no published data on the size and surface area of canine and feline corneocytes therefore morphometric studies were undertaken in chapter 2. The mean canine and feline corneocyte diameter and surface area were found to be approximately 38-48 mum and 1100-1800 mum2 respectively. Of three body sites examined the inner aspect of the canine and feline pinna proved to be most suitable for the collection of corneocytes for an adhesion assay. In chapter 3 a simple adhesion assay is described. Corneocytes were collected from the inner aspect of the pinna using adhesive discs (D-squameRTM discs), and incubated in a moist chamber with bacteria under test. Image analysis software employing a script (macro) written by the author was used to count adherent bacteria. Adhesion by bacteria was found to be dependent on time, temperature, and bacterial concentration. The assay was both repeatable and reproducible. Using the adhesion assay so developed the pathogenic staphylococci (S. aureus, S. hyicus and S. intermedius) all adhered well to canine and feline corneocytes. S. hominus and a Micrococus species adhered poorly.

• Item Type: Thesis (MVM(R))
• Qualification Level: Masters
• Additional Information: Adviser: Prof. David Taylor.
• Keywords: Veterinary science.
• Colleges/Schools: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Supervisor's Name: Supervisor, not known
• Date of Award: 2004
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2004-71141
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 10 May 2019 10:49
• Last Modified: 15 Jun 2021 15:44
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/71141