Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 29, 2026
12:01
A PCR-based Genotyping Method to Distinguish Between Wild-type and Ornamental Varieties of Imperata cylindrica
Published on: February 20, 2012
32.4K
Chromatic Variants of Pityriasis Versicolor and Molecular Species Identification Using Polymerase Chain
Marina Romero-Navarrete1, Francisca Hernández-Hernández2, Roberto Arenas3
1Acapulco General Hospital IMSS Bienestar, Acapulco 39910, Guerrero, Mexico.
Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland)
|March 27, 2026
Summary
Pityriasis versicolor (PV) is a common fungal infection. This study identified Malassezia globosa and Malassezia furfur as the most common causes in Acapulco, Mexico, using PCR-RFLP.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Pityriasis versicolor (PV) is a superficial fungal infection caused by Malassezia species.
- Understanding the clinical and epidemiological profile of PV is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the clinical and epidemiological features of Pityriasis versicolor in Acapulco, Mexico.
- To identify the Malassezia species associated with PV using molecular methods.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 69 patients with suspected PV.
- Skin scale analysis included microscopy, fungal culture, and molecular identification via PCR-RFLP.
Main Results:
- The hypochromic variant of PV was most common (63.8%).
- Malassezia globosa (33.3%) and Malassezia furfur (31.9%) were the predominant species.
- No significant associations were found between clinical variants, gender, or species distribution.
Conclusions:
- Malassezia globosa and Malassezia furfur are the primary agents of PV in this tropical Mexican population.
- PCR-RFLP is a valuable tool for identifying Malassezia species, revealing the fungal diversity in PV.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:22Phylogenetic Species Concept in Microbiology
89
The phylogenetic species concept (PSC) is a framework used to delineate species based on evolutionary relationships, emphasizing shared ancestry and diagnosable genetic traits. Unlike morphological or biological species concepts, the PSC is particularly advantageous for microbial taxonomy, where traditional reproductive or phenotypic criteria often fall short due to the prevalence of asexual reproduction, minimal morphological differentiation, and widespread horizontal gene transfer among...
89
01:29Modern Molecular Taxonomy
834
Advancements in molecular biology have revolutionized the identification and characterization of bacteria, with multiple methods leveraging DNA sequencing for enhanced precision. As sequencing technologies improve and costs decline, these approaches are increasingly used in clinical, environmental, and evolutionary studies.Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) examines several housekeeping genes, essential chromosomal genes encoding cellular functions, to distinguish strains. Approximately...
834
01:28Methods of Classification and Identification
1.8K
Bacterial identification relies on a diverse array of techniques to classify and understand microorganisms, each tailored to uncover specific characteristics. Traditional morphological approaches, while still valuable, are limited for closely related or structurally simple organisms. Modern methods integrate biochemical, serological, genetic, and advanced molecular tools to achieve greater accuracy.Morphological and Biochemical TechniquesMorphological characteristics, such as cell shape and...
1.8K