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Infecting Mice with Malassezia spp. to Study the Fungus-Host Interaction
06:19

Infecting Mice with Malassezia spp. to Study the Fungus-Host Interaction

Published on: November 6, 2019

[Genetic polymorphism of Malassezia spp. yeast isolates from individuals with and without dermatological lesions]

Adriana M Celis1, María Caridad Cepero de García

  • 1Centro de Investigaciones Microbiológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota, DC, Colombia.

Biomedica : Revista Del Instituto Nacional De Salud
|January 26, 2006
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Genetic analysis of Malassezia yeasts revealed significant intraspecies variation but no distinct DNA fingerprints for specific skin diseases. This suggests Malassezia

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Dermatology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Malassezia yeasts are opportunistic pathogens implicated in various skin conditions.
  • Their exact role in dermatological diseases remains unclear due to their presence in normal skin flora.
  • Understanding Malassezia genetic diversity is crucial for elucidating disease associations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify genetic markers in Malassezia species correlating with specific dermatological lesions.
  • To investigate the genetic relatedness of Malassezia isolates from different skin conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Isolated 103 Malassezia strains from patients with pityriasis versicolor, seborrheic dermatitis (HIV+ and HIV-), and atopic dermatitis.
  • Included control strains from CBS Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures.
  • Employed random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting with three primers (OPA2, OPA4, OPA13) and analyzed data using Diversity Database and SYN-TAX-PC.

Main Results:

  • Observed significant intraspecies genetic heterogeneity in Malassezia furfur, M. globosa, M. restricta, M. slooffiae, and M. obtusa.
  • Malassezia sympodialis exhibited the highest degree of genetic homogeneity among the studied species.
  • No distinct RAPD fingerprints were associated with specific dermatological diseases.

Conclusions:

  • The genetic profiles of Malassezia yeasts do not appear to be specific indicators for particular dermatological conditions.
  • Further research is needed to identify reliable genetic markers for Malassezia-associated skin diseases.

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