[Microscopic examination in quantifying of Malassezia yeast in scalp and rapid diagnosis of fungi invasive condition: a brief report]

Malassezia Species are often commensal of the human skin and scalp that opportunistically in exist of particular predisposing factors, their proliferation increases; as, in dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis which both togather affect more than 50% of humans, the excess proliferation of yeast in scalp, leads to scalp-flaking and causes physical and mental disorder in peaple, spacially in youth that their health and hiar hygiene and beauty is more important for them. Thus, this survey has been done for rapid, easy and inexpensive method to diagnosis of abnormal proliferation and invasive condition of Malassezia yeast and can be more benefical for proper treatment. Sampling with scalpel scraping from scalp of volunteer persons that had not bathed at least two day ago were done and preparation of direct microscopic slides and staining with methylene blue were accomplished. Then, survey of morpholgic characteristics, yeast quantification and mycelium detection were done by direct microscopic examination. From 140 scalp samples of adult persons of both gender [male and female] with different age groups, observation of malassezia yeast in 93.5% [131] were positive and 6.5% [9] were negative in direct microscopic examination. Results of yeast quantification in positive cases were: mild or normal flora 25.2%, intermediate 24.5%, severe 50.3%. Detection of mycelium in positive cases were 22.9% [30] [P=0.007 df=2]. Application of an accessible, easy and inexpensive method and a determinated pattern [yeast quantification with direct microscopic examination] to distinguish normal flora from abnormal condition [excess proliferation and mycelium production] in cases of Malassezia yeasts can be more useful to rapid diagnosis of abnormal proliferation and invasive condition in order to initiate a proper antifungal treatment.

[Antifungal activities of fluconazole and ketoconazole agents against Malassezia species]

Malassezia, a yeast-like fungus found in normal skin flora is known to be associated with various skin diseases, along with systemic infections. Our aim was to determine the in -vitro susceptibility of Malassezia spp. to ketoconazole and fluconazole. In this study, we identified 99 Malassezia isolates from patients with pityriasis vesicular by morphological and biochemical criteria. In vitro susceptibility testing was in macro-broth dilutions, conducted based on the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards [NCCLS] M27-A proposed standard. The results were analyzed statistically by Mann-Whitney. The Malassezia isolates were identified as M. globosa [42], M. furfur [39], M. obtusa [10], M. sympodialis [6], and M. slooffiae [2]. The rate of MFC of ketoconazole against Malassezia spp. was 0.06-2 micro g/ml, while the MFC of fluconazole against Malassezia spp. was 2-64 micro g/ml. The minimal inhibitory concentration [MIC90] of ketoconazole against Malassezia spp. was 0.03-1 micro g/ml, while the minimal inhibitory concentration [MIC90] of fluconazole against Malassezia spp. was 0.5-32 micro g/ml. Although fluconazole can be an effective treatment option for pityriasis versicolor, in our study, fluconazole MICs were higher than ketoclonazole

Isolation and identification of Malassezia spp. in pytiriasis versicolor in Kashan, Iran

Pityriasis versicolor [PV] is a chronic superficial fungal disease caused by Malassezia spp. The incidence is as high as 30-40% in tropical climates. Epidemiological data suggest geographical variations in the rate of the isolated species from PV. Our aim was to identify Malassezia spp. from PV patients in Kashan, Iran. Isolates of Malassezia were collected from 118 PV patients [75 males and 43 females]. A direct microscopy with KOH and methylene blue was carried out. Cultures were made in modified Dixon agar medium and the isolates were identified by macroscopic and microscopic features, physiological characteristics [catalase test] and biochemical criteria [esculin and lipid assimilation tests]. Data were analyzed statistically by software SPSS [version 11] and Fischer's exact and descriptive statistical tests. The average age of 118 patients in this study was 28.42 +/- 8.53 years. The percentages of patients in this study were 64.4 and 35.6 for men and women respectively. Hyperhydrosis was reported as the most important finding with 58.1%. Back [42.2%] and extremities [7.4%] were the highest and the lowest involved parts respectively. The isolates found were M. globosa [43.8%], Malassezia furfur [38.4%], M. obtusa [9.8%], M. sympodialis [6.3%], and M. slooffiae [1.7%]. From these findings it was suggested that M. globosa presents the main species implicated in the pathogenicity of PV and M. furfur as the second agent of importance