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Profiling the Triacylglyceride Contents in Bat Integumentary Lipids by Preparative Thin Layer Chromatography and MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry
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Profiling the Triacylglyceride Contents in Bat Integumentary Lipids by Preparative Thin Layer Chromatography and MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

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Medium-chain triglycerides inhibit growth of Malassezia: implications for prevention of systemic infection

C Papavassilis1, K K Mach, P A Mayser

  • 1Department of Dermatology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany. charis.papavassilis@derma.med.uni-giessen.de

Critical Care Medicine
|October 3, 1999
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Certain Malassezia species can grow on lipid infusions, but medium-chain triglycerides and free fatty acids inhibit their growth. These findings suggest using lipid infusions with medium-chain triglycerides to prevent Malassezia infections.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Microbiology

Background:

  • Lipophilic Malassezia species are associated with catheter-associated sepsis, particularly in neonates and immunocompromised individuals receiving parenteral nutrition.
  • Parenteral lipid emulsions are a potential nutrient source for Malassezia species, raising concerns about infection risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the ability of various Malassezia species to utilize commercially available lipid infusions as a sole lipid source.
  • To evaluate the impact of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) and medium-chain free fatty acids (MCFFAs) on Malassezia growth in lipid emulsions.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective in vitro study conducted in a university hospital research laboratory.
  • Testing of seven Malassezia species, including M. furfur, for growth on different commercially available lipid infusions.
  • Assessment of growth inhibition using varying concentrations of MCTs and MCFFAs.

Main Results:

  • All tested Malassezia species, except M. restricta, demonstrated growth on lipid infusions, with no significant brand-specific differences.
  • M. furfur exhibited the most rapid growth, with enhanced proliferation at 20% lipid concentration compared to 10%.
  • Growth of M. furfur and M. sympodialis was significantly reduced by the presence of MCTs, with further suppression by MCFFAs.

Conclusions:

  • Medium-chain triglycerides and medium-chain free fatty acids exhibit toxicity towards Malassezia species.
  • Commercially available lipid infusions containing MCTs show potential as a preventative strategy against systemic Malassezia infections.

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