ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Members of the genus Malassezia, lipophilic yeasts, are considered to be one of the exacerbating factors in atopic dermatitis. When the response of anti-inflammatory treatment of atopic dermatitis to adults was poor, antifungal treatment had a good response to atopic dermatitis. We compared Malassezia species detected in head and neck lesions of atopic dermatitis between children and adults. OBJECTIVE: To compare Malassezia species between children and adults in head and neck lesions of atopic dermatitis and to reveal the correlation levels of P. ovale specific IgE and clinical severity among these groups. METHODS: Malassezia species were incubated in Leeming and Notman media from skin lesions of 28 patients with head and neck lesions of atopic dermatitis (13 children, 15 adults). And ITS1 amplification and sequencing method was done for detection of Malassezia species. We also assayed P. ovale specific IgE and clinical severity grade of the patients. RESULTS: M. globosa was the predominant species in the children group. And M. furfur was the predominant species in the adults group respectively. The levels of P. ovale specific IgE increased more in the adults group than the children group. Clinical severity grade also more increased in the adults group. There was statistically significant correlation between P. ovale specific IgE and clinical severity grade (p<0.001). Conclusion: Malassezia species are aggravating factors in head and neck lesions of atopic dermatitis particularly in adults. We must keep in mind Malassezia species infection when resistance to antiinflammatory therapy in atopic dermatitis of adults.