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Identification of Malassezia pachydermatis from healthy and diseased human skin

Asja Prohic1, Emina Kasumagic-Halilovic

  • 1Department of Dermatology, University Clinical Center, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. asjaprohic@hotmail.com

Medicinski Arhiv
|April 13, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Malassezia pachydermatis, a yeast typically found in animals, is rarely found on human skin. This study found it in only one case, suggesting external transmission rather than normal human flora.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Dermatology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Malassezia pachydermatis is a zoophilic yeast species.
  • It is infrequently isolated from human skin but can cause infections, particularly in neonates.
  • The prevalence of M. pachydermatis in humans with skin conditions is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of Malassezia pachydermatis on human skin.
  • To compare M. pachydermatis presence in patients with Malassezia-related skin diseases versus healthy individuals.

Main Methods:

  • Collected 160 skin scrapings from patients with pityriasis versicolor, seborrhoeic dermatitis, psoriasis, and healthy controls (40 each).
  • Inoculated samples onto Sabouraud dextrose agar and modified Dixon agar.
  • Identified yeast isolates based on macroscopic, microscopic, and physiological characteristics.

Main Results:

  • Malassezia globosa was most common in pityriasis versicolor (65%) and psoriasis (55%).
  • Malassezia restricta predominated in seborrhoeic dermatitis (27.5%).
  • Malassezia sympodialis was most frequent on healthy skin (30%).
  • Malassezia pachydermatis was isolated in only one case of seborrhoeic dermatitis.

Conclusions:

  • Malassezia pachydermatis is not a typical component of the human skin microbiome.
  • Its rare occurrence on human skin suggests transmission from external, likely animal, sources.
  • This finding reinforces the understanding of Malassezia species distribution in health and disease.

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