Bacterial Pathogens in Dog and Cat Skin Infections

Dermal Pathogens
Facultative pathogenic bacteria presumably seed the skin from environment or mucous membranes (2). Species include coagulase- negative and -positive Staphylococci, E. coli, Proteus, and Pseudomonas (3). In cats infected biting wounds and abscesses are much more frequent than pyoderma. Here pathogens from the oral cavity, such as Pasteurella multocida, represent the majority of clinical isolates.

Staphylococcus intermedius
Staphylococcus intermedius, a resident of mucous membranes has been identified as major pathogen in canine pyoderma. Spread over the skin surface by grooming it takes advantage of changes in the local microenvironment and becomes pathogenic (2).

Bacterial Invasion Strategies
Production of specific proteins, toxins and enzymes enable Staphylococcus intermedius to damage and infiltrate the epidermis, creating a tissue milieu conductive to invasion of secondary pathogens. Staphylococcci in general are facultative intracellular bacteria, which are able to escape the host defense mechanisms and survive phagocytosis (2).

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