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Published on: November 6, 2019
Molecular Identification and Quantification of Malassezia Species Isolated from Pityriasis Versicolor
Prasanna Honnavar1, Sunil Dogra2, Sanjeev Handa2
1Department of Medical Microbiology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Background:
Pityriasis versicolor (PV) is the most common chronic superficial infection of the stratum corneum, reported in 40-60% of the tropical population. After the description of the new Malassezia species, only a few studies have been conducted from India.
Aims:
Molecular identification, quantification of Malassezia species implicated with PV and correlation to its clinical presentation.
Materials And Methods:
The subjects include 50 PV patients, who attended the dermatology outpatient department of our hospital and 50 healthy individuals. Same size area of the skin was sampled from lesional and non-lesional sites in the patient group and from forehead, cheek, and chest of healthy individuals. Malassezia spp. isolated were identified by conventional method and confirmed by ITS2 PCR-RFLP and sequencing of D1/D2 region of 26S rDNA.
Results:
Eighty percent of patients presented with hypopigmented lesions and 20% with hyperpigmented lesions. From PV lesions, the most frequently isolated species was M. furfur (50%), followed by M. globosa (27.3%), mixture of M. furfur and M. globosa (15.9%), M. sympodialis (4.5%), and M. slooffiae (2.3%). Higher Malassezia density was found in lesional area as compared to non-lesional area of PV patients and in healthy individuals (P 0.0001).
Conclusion:
Although M. furfur was the most prevalent species isolated from both patients and controls, significantly higher isolation of M. globosa from the lesional area compared to non-lesional area indicates its possible role along with M. furfur in causing PV.
Insights
Pityriasis versicolor (PV) is a common tropical skin infection. This study identifies Malassezia species, finding Malassezia globosa may play a role alongside Malassezia furfur in causing PV lesions.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Dermatology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Pityriasis versicolor (PV) is a prevalent superficial fungal infection affecting 40-60% of tropical populations.
- Limited research exists on Malassezia species in India despite new species descriptions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To molecularly identify and quantify Malassezia species associated with PV.
- To correlate Malassezia species prevalence and density with clinical presentation of PV.
Main Methods:
- Involved 50 PV patients and 50 healthy controls.
- Skin samples from lesional and non-lesional sites (patients) and facial/chest areas (controls) were analyzed.
- Malassezia species were identified using conventional methods, ITS2 PCR-RFLP, and 26S rDNA sequencing.
Main Results:
- Hypopigmented lesions were observed in 80% of patients, hyperpigmented in 20%.
- Malassezia furfur (50%) was most frequent, followed by Malassezia globosa (27.3%) in PV lesions.
- Higher Malassezia density was found in lesional areas compared to non-lesional and healthy controls (P < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
- Malassezia furfur is prevalent in both PV patients and controls.
- Increased isolation of Malassezia globosa from lesional sites suggests its potential role in PV pathogenesis.
- Both Malassezia furfur and Malassezia globosa are implicated in causing Pityriasis versicolor.
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