Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026
06:19
Infecting Mice with Malassezia spp. to Study the Fungus-Host Interaction
Published on: November 6, 2019
Neonatal rectal colonization with Malassezia furfur
G J Gross1, N E Macdonald, A M Mackenzie
1Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario.
Summary
Malassezia furfur and Candida albicans commonly colonize newborns in the NICU, primarily in the lower GI tract. Prematurity and antibiotic use increase colonization risk.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) infections
- Medical Mycology
- Neonatal Health
Background:
- Malassezia furfur and Candida albicans are increasingly recognized as significant pathogens in NICU patients.
- These fungi cause mortality and serious morbidity in vulnerable neonates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the colonization patterns of Malassezia furfur and Candida albicans in newborns admitted to a NICU.
- To identify risk factors associated with colonization by these fungal pathogens.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study tracked oral, rectal, and umbilical colonization in 71 newborns for at least 10 days.
- Statistical analysis examined associations between colonization and gestational age, birthweight, and antibiotic use.
Main Results:
- 24 infants were colonized with M. furfur and 12 with C. albicans within the first 10 days.
- The lower gastrointestinal tract was the most common site for both organisms.
- Lower gestational age, birthweight, and antibiotic use were associated with increased colonization risk.
Conclusions:
- M. furfur and C. albicans are common colonizers in NICU settings, frequently found in the lower GI tract.
- M. furfur, previously noted as a systemic pathogen, is also a common commensal in neonates.
- Further research is needed to understand the link between colonization and invasive disease and to develop preventive strategies.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:28Development of the Oral Microbiota
The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
01:27The Skin Microbiota
The human skin serves as a complex ecosystem inhabited by a diverse community of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This microbiome plays a critical role in maintaining skin health and defending against pathogenic invaders. The composition of microbial communities varies significantly across different regions of the body, influenced primarily by the local levels of moisture and sebum.Regional Variation in Skin MicrobiotaCutibacterium acnes predominantly colonizes sebaceous...
01:30Development of Human Microbiota
The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
01:29Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract
The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...