16S and ITS metagenome from canine associated samples Metagenome

Canine otitis externa (OE) is a common inflammatory disease that is frequently complicated by secondary bacterial and/or yeast infections. The otic microbial population is more complex than appreciated by cytological methods and aerobic culture alone.Differences in bacterial and fungal populations of the external ear canal will correlate with specific cytological and culture-based definitions of bacterial and Malassezia otitis.Forty client-owned dogs; 30 with OE and 10 with healthy ears.Staphylococcus was the most abundant taxa across all groups. Ears cytologically positive for cocci had decreased diversity, and all types of OE were associated with decreased fungal diversity compared to controls.Cytological and culture-based assessment of the ear canal is not predic-tive of the diverse microbiota of the ear canal in cases of Pseudomonas or Malassezia otitis. Less abundant bacterial taxa in cases of staphylococcal OE are worth scrutiny for future biological therapy.