The cytology description (3+ cocci with PMNs) most strongly points to which diagnosis?

• A. Bacterial pyoderma
• B. Demodectic mange
• C. Malassezia dermatitis
• D. Allergic dermatitis

Answer: (A)

A cytology finding of abundant neutrophils (PMNs) with extracellular cocci is classic for a bacterial pyoderma. The neutrophil-dominant, acute inflammatory response points to a bacterial infection, and cocci are the typical bacterial form seen in superficial skin infections (often Staphylococcus species in dogs and cats). In contrast, Demodex mange would show mites on skin scrapings, Malassezia dermatitis would reveal numerous yeast cells with short hyphae, and allergic dermatitis often has non-specific inflammation with eosinophils rather than abundant bacteria. So the pattern most strongly indicates bacterial pyoderma.