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Updated: Aug 18, 2025
Infecting Mice with Malassezia spp. to Study the Fungus-Host Interaction
Published on: November 6, 2019
Production and Quantification of Virulence Factors in Malassezia Species
Inès Hadrich1,2,3, Nahed Khemekhem1,2, Sourour Neji1,2
1Laboratory of Fungal and Parasitic Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia.
Abstract:
Seventy-seven strains of Malassezia were included in this study. Biofilm and hydrolytic enzyme production were studied by using specific solid media. The Real-Time reverse transcriptase qPCR method was applied to determine the overexpression of genes encoding the extracellular enzymes. All included Malassezia species produced biofilms. No statistically significant difference was observed between Malassezia species in biofilm formation (p = 0.567). All Malassezia species produced lipase, and 95% of Malassezia globosa showed a strong enzymatic activity (Pz = 0.55 ± 0.02). A statistically significant difference was observed between the mean keratinase indices of Malassezia slooffiae and the other Malassezia species (p = 0.005). The overexpression of one or more genes was observed in 100% of strains isolated from patients with folliculitis, 87.5% - with pityriasis versicolor, and 57.14% of the control group isolates. A statistically significant difference in the lipase gene expression (p = 0.042) was between the strains from patients with folliculitis and the control group. This investigation provides more information about the frequency of the production of the major enzymes considered virulence factors of Malassezia species. Interestingly, the overexpression of one or more genes was observed in strains isolated from patients with Malassezia disorders.
Insights
Malassezia species form biofilms and produce enzymes like lipase and keratinase. Gene overexpression was common in strains from patients with Malassezia-related skin disorders, particularly folliculitis.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Dermatology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Malassezia species are common skin fungi implicated in various dermatological conditions.
- Understanding their virulence factors, such as biofilm formation and enzyme production, is crucial for diagnosing and treating Malassezia-related disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate biofilm formation and hydrolytic enzyme production in Malassezia species.
- To determine the gene expression patterns of extracellular enzymes in Malassezia strains isolated from patients with skin conditions and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Seventy-seven Malassezia strains were cultured on specific solid media to assess biofilm and enzyme production.
- Real-Time reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to analyze the overexpression of genes encoding extracellular enzymes.
Main Results:
- All Malassezia species studied produced biofilms, with no significant differences observed between species.
- Lipase production was universal, and strong activity was noted in Malassezia globosa. Keratinase indices differed significantly between Malassezia slooffiae and other species.
- Overexpression of virulence factor genes was detected in 100% of strains from folliculitis patients, 87.5% from pityriasis versicolor patients, and 57.14% from the control group.
Conclusions:
- Malassezia species exhibit significant biofilm and hydrolytic enzyme production capabilities.
- Gene overexpression, particularly of lipase, is significantly associated with Malassezia-related skin disorders like folliculitis.
- These findings enhance our understanding of Malassezia virulence factors and their role in human infections.
