Biofilm development by clinical isolates of Malassezia pachydermatis

Malassezia pachydermatis fungemia has been reported in patients receiving parenteral nutrition. Biofilm formation on catheters may be related to the pathogenesis of this mycosis. We investigated the biofilm-forming ability of 12 M. pachydermatis strains using a metabolic activity plate-based model and electronic microscopic evaluation of catheter surfaces. All M. pachydermatis strains developed biofilms but biofilm formation showed variability among the different strains unrelated to their clinical origin. This study demonstrates the ability of M. pachydermatis to adhere to and form biofilms on the surfaces of different materials, such as polystyrene and polyurethane.