Abstract

Malassezia species are opportunistic yeasts frequently implicated in canine dermatological conditions. While conventional staining techniques such as methylene blue, Gram stain, and Diff-Quik are routinely employed for identification, there is a growing need for cost-effective alternatives, particularly in resource limited or field settings. This study assessed the efficacy of Camlin fountain ink (phthalocyanine blue) as a viable staining method for Malassezia detection. Impression smears were obtained from dogs presented with clinical signs of Malassezia dermatitis. Following confirmation of Malassezia positivity, smears were stained with Camlin ink. The results revealed that Malassezia yeasts cells effectively retained the stain, enhancing their visualization under oil immersion (100x) microscopy. These findings suggest that Camlin ink offers a practical, affordable, and accessible alternative for in-clinic and field-based diagnosis of Malassezia infections in dogs, potentially improving diagnostic efficiency in veterinary dermatology.

Keywords : Yeast, dogs, Malassezia, phthalocyanine blue