Many organisms are involved in otitis externa including bacteria, fungi, parasites, as well as viruses. The pathogenesis of this disease is not well understood. Malassezia sp. is a yeast often involved in otitis externa, but it should be noted that this yeast can also be found normally in the external ear canal (in small quantities).  The microphotographs below illustrate budding Malassezia sp. adhering to squamous epithelial cells and in the background of the slide.

Wright's stain, 500x

Wright's stain, 1000x

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