The Inhibitory Effects of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Clinical Isolates of Malassezia in Dogs

INTRODUCTION: Malassezia pachydermatis is frequently detected among the microflora of endothermic vertebrates, acts opportunistically, and contributes to the development of dermatitis and otitis in humans and animals. Treating chronic or recurrent cases of external otitis can pose a challenge, and replacing common antibiotics and antifungal agents with nanoparticles can be crucial in mitigating drug resistance. The present study investigated zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles' antifungal effects on Malassezia pachydermatis clinical isolates and Phospholipase A2 and Aspartyl proteinase gene expression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Zinc oxide nanoparticles were prepared using the direct precipitation method at a concentration of 2000 ppm. Its antifungal potential was evaluated at concentrations of 1.95 to 2000 ppm by disk diffusion and micro-dilution methods against ten isolates of Malassezia pachydermatis. The effect of this product on Phospholipase A2 and Aspartyl proteinase gene expression was investigated by Quantitative real-time PCR method. RESULTS: The results of the disk diffusion test showed that the highest inhibitory diameter was at the highest concentration of ZnO nanoparticles (23.9 mm), and the inhibitory zone was observed in dilutions up to 250 ppm. The minimum inhibitory concentration of ZnO nanoparticles was between 3.90 and 7.81 ppm, and the minimum fungicidal concentration was between 7.81 and 15.62 ppm. There was a significant reduction in Phospholipase A2 and Aspartyl proteinase gene expression in sub-MIC concentration (1.95-3.90 ppm) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study provides evidence of the concentration-dependent antifungal activity of ZnO nanoparticles on Malassezia pachydermatis and suggests that they may be a viable alternative to traditional antifungal agents. Further research is necessary to explore the safety and efficacy of these nanoparticles in vivo.

Authors: A. Vazifehdust, D. Nikaein, M. Mozafari, M. Khanipour Machiani, S. Jamshidi and J. Malakootikhah Title: The Inhibitory Effects of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Clinical Isolates of Malassezia in Dogs Full source: Vet Med Sci, 2026,Vol 12, Iss 1, pp e70646
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INTRODUCTION: Malassezia pachydermatis is frequently detected among the microflora of endothermic vertebrates, acts opportunistically, and contributes to the development of dermatitis and otitis in humans and animals. Treating chronic or recurrent cases of external otitis can pose a challenge, and replacing common antibiotics and antifungal agents with nanoparticles can be crucial in mitigating drug resistance. The present study investigated zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles' antifungal effects on Malassezia pachydermatis clinical isolates and Phospholipase A2 and Aspartyl proteinase gene expression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Zinc oxide nanoparticles were prepared using the direct precipitation method at a concentration of 2000 ppm. Its antifungal potential was evaluated at concentrations of 1.95 to 2000 ppm by disk diffusion and micro-dilution methods against ten isolates of Malassezia pachydermatis. The effect of this product on Phospholipase A2 and Aspartyl proteinase gene expression was investigated by Quantitative real-time PCR method. RESULTS: The results of the disk diffusion test showed that the highest inhibitory diameter was at the highest concentration of ZnO nanoparticles (23.9 mm), and the inhibitory zone was observed in dilutions up to 250 ppm. The minimum inhibitory concentration of ZnO nanoparticles was between 3.90 and 7.81 ppm, and the minimum fungicidal concentration was between 7.81 and 15.62 ppm. There was a significant reduction in Phospholipase A2 and Aspartyl proteinase gene expression in sub-MIC concentration (1.95-3.90 ppm) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study provides evidence of the concentration-dependent antifungal activity of ZnO nanoparticles on Malassezia pachydermatis and suggests that they may be a viable alternative to traditional antifungal agents. Further research is necessary to explore the safety and efficacy of these nanoparticles in vivo.