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Updated: May 7, 2026
Infecting Mice with Malassezia spp. to Study the Fungus-Host Interaction
Published on: November 6, 2019
Identification of the haemolytic activity of Malassezia species
Weerapong Juntachai1, Aksarakorn Kummasook, Malee Mekaprateep
1Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan; Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Chiang Mai Rajabhat University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Abstract:
Malassezia species are part of the normal skin flora and are associated with a number of human and animal skin diseases. However, the mechanisms that mediate infection and host-fungal interactions are poorly understood. The haemolytic activity of several microorganisms is considered a factor that contributes to pathogenicity of the organism to humans and animals. This virulence factor was previously identified in several pathogenic fungi that cause systemic mycoses, such as Aspergillus and Candida. In this study, the haemolytic activity of six major Malassezia species, including M. furfur, M. globosa, M. pachydermatis, M. restricta, M. slooffiae and M. sympodialis, was investigated. The haemolytic activity of these species was tested on tryptone soya agar with 5% sheep blood. All the examined Malassezia species produced a halo zone of complete haemolysis. A quantitative analysis of the haemolytic activity was performed by incubating sheep erythrocytes with the extraction from culture of each Malassezia species. Interestingly, M. globosa and M. restricta showed significantly high haemolytic activity compared with the other Malassezia species. In addition, M. globosa also exhibited stable haemolytic activity after treatment at 100 °C and in the presence of some proteases, indicating that this haemolytic factor is different from those of other fungi.
Insights
This study investigated the hemolytic activity of six Malassezia species, common skin fungi. All species showed hemolytic activity, with Malassezia globosa and Malassezia restricta exhibiting the highest levels, suggesting a role in pathogenicity.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Dermatology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Malassezia species are normal skin flora linked to various skin diseases in humans and animals.
- Mechanisms of Malassezia infection and host-fungal interactions remain poorly understood.
- Hemolytic activity is a key virulence factor in pathogenic fungi like Aspergillus and Candida.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hemolytic activity of six major Malassezia species.
- To assess the potential role of hemolytic activity in Malassezia pathogenicity.
- To characterize the nature of the hemolytic factor in Malassezia.
Main Methods:
- Tested hemolytic activity of six Malassezia species (M. furfur, M. globosa, M. pachydermatis, M. restricta, M. slooffiae, M. sympodialis) on sheep blood agar.
- Quantified hemolytic activity by incubating sheep erythrocytes with Malassezia culture extracts.
- Assessed stability of hemolytic activity after heat (100°C) and protease treatments.
Main Results:
- All six Malassezia species exhibited complete hemolytic activity, indicated by halo zones.
- Malassezia globosa and Malassezia restricta showed significantly higher hemolytic activity compared to other species.
- The hemolytic factor in Malassezia globosa demonstrated stability after heat and protease treatments, suggesting a unique characteristic.
Conclusions:
- Hemolytic activity is a common trait among major Malassezia species.
- Malassezia globosa and Malassezia restricta possess potent hemolytic activity, potentially contributing to their pathogenicity.
- The stable nature of the hemolytic factor in Malassezia globosa warrants further investigation into its specific mechanisms and role in skin diseases.
