Prevalence of sensitization to Malassezia spp. in adults with atopic dermatitis and psoriasis and its correlation with disease severity / Prevalência da sensibilização a Malassezia spp. em pacientes adultos portadores de dermatite atópica e psoríase e sua correlação com a gravidade das doenças

Fundamentals: Atopic Dermatitis (AD) and Psoriasis (PS) share clinical and physiopathological similarities. Objective: Determine the prevalence of sensitization to Malassezia spp. in adults with AD and PS and its correlation with disease severity. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from January 2016 to August 2017 with adults. Malassezia spp.-specific IgE dosages were measured, and skin scrapings for fungal culture performed. Parametric or nonparametric tests were used for analysis. Results: Median age of the 20 participants with AD was 29 years old, and the mean SCO-RAD was 45.35 ± 18.32. Malassezia spp.- specific IgE median dosage was 0.63 kU/l. M. furfur and M. sympodialis were isolated. Spearman's nonparametric correlation analysis showed no correlation between sensitization to Malassezia spp. and disease severity. The median age of the 36 participants with PS was 61 years old, the median body surface area affected was 22%, and Malassezia spp.-specific IgE median dosage was 0.00 kU/l. M. furfur and Malassezia spp. were identified. Study limitations: Assessing the sensitization to Malasseziaspp. was difficult due to the reduced number of participants in the study. Furthermore, there was no uniformity in the location to collect skin scrapings. The use of topical medication was not suspended before collecting skin specimens for mycological examination, therefore interfer-ing with fungal isolation. Conclusion: Sensitization to Malassezia spp. was only detected in the AD sample. Malassezia spp.-specific IgE test did not prove to be a marker for disease severity in our AD sample (AU)

Fundamentos: Dermatite atópica (DA) e psoríase apresentam similaridades clínicas e fisiopatológicas. Objetivos: Avaliar a frequência da sensibilização a Malasseziaspp. em adultos portadores de DA e psoríase e correlacionar à gra-vidade dos quadros clínicos. Métodos: De janeiro de 2016 a agosto de 2017, conduziu-se um estudo observacional em indivíduos adultos onde foram realizadas dosagem de IgE específica anti-Malassezia spp. e raspados das lesões para cultura micológica. Testes paramétricos ou não paramétricos foram utilizados para análise. Resultados: Nos 20 portadores de DA, a mediana da idade foi 29 anos. O valor médio do Scoring Atopic Dermatitis foi 45,35 ± 18,32. A mediana de IgE específica anti-Malasseziaspp. foi 0,63 kU/l. M. furfur e M. sympodialis foram isolados. A análise de correlação não-paramétrica de Spearman não mostrou correlação entre a sensibilização à Malassezia spp. e a gra-vidade. Nos 36 pacientes com psoríase, foram obtidas as seguintes medianas: idade 61 anos, comprometimento de superfície corpórea 22% e IgE específica anti-Malassezia spp. 0,00 kU/l. Houve identificação de M. furfur e Malasse-zia spp. Limitações do estudo: O número reduzido de participantes dificultou a avaliação da sensibilização por IgE a Malasseziaspp. Não houve uniformidade nos locais de coleta dos raspados cutâneos. Medicamentos tópicos não foram suspensos anteriormente ao exame micológico, prejudicando o isolamento dos fungos. Conclusões: Sensibili-zação a Malassezia spp. apenas ocorreu nos portadores de DA. O teste de IgE específica anti-Malassezia spp. não se mostrou um marcador de gravidade para a DA neste grupo (AU)

Dermatitis facial por Malassezia pachydermatis / Facial dermatitis caused by Malassezia pachydermatis

Se presenta un caso de dermatitis facial por Malassezia pachydermatis en un paciente de 34 años de edad, diagnosticado mediante clínica y estudio micológico. M. pachydermatis es una levadura que forma parte de la microbiota de mamíferos domésticos y animales salvajes, donde frecuentemente puede provocar dermatitis y otitis externa. En humanos, son escasas las infecciones por este agente, describiéndose desde infecciones superficiales hasta fungemias. En Chile se la ha encontrado como agente causal de pitiriasis versicolor y dermatitis seborreica principalmente en pacientes inmunocomprometidos.

We present a clinical case of facial dermatitis due to Malassezia pachydermatis in a patient of 34 years old, diagnosed by clinical and micology study. M. pachydermatis is a zoofilic yeast that is part of the microbiota of domestic mammals and wild animals, frequently causing dermatitis and external otitis. In humans, infections by this agent are very scarce, describing from superficial infections to fungemias. In Chile it has been found as causal agent of pitiriasis versicolor and seborrheic dermatitis mainly in inmunocompromised patients.

Especies del género Malassezia en piel sana de niños y adolecentes con VIH-SIDA / Malassezia species on healthy skin of children and teens with HIV / AIDS

Antecedentes: Las especies del género Malassezia forman parte de la biota cutánea normal humana y pueden ser aisladas en áreas ricas en glándulas sebáceas. Su colonización es alta durante edad prepuberal y puberal debido al aumento de actividad de dichas glándulas. Objetivo: Determinar la colonización por especies del género Malassezia en piel sana de niños y adolescentes con VIH/SIDA. Metodología: Las muestras fueron tomadas mediante el método de la impronta con cinta adhesiva transparente, en cuero cabelludo, pabellón auricular, pecho, espalda, muslo, antebrazo, palma de la mano e inoculadas en el medio con base de goma Spondia dulcis. La identificación de las especies se realizó siguiendo las claves descritas por Guého et al. Se realizó el test de difusión en tween propuesto por Guillot et al, la prueba de la catalasa, y la utilización de triptófano como fuente única de nitrógeno. Resultados: De un total de 80 niños y adolescentes, solo 23(28.75 por ciento) de ellos se les aisló Malassezia. 10 (43.48 por ciento) de sexo masculino y 13 (56.52 por ciento) de sexo femenino. Solo se encontró, Malassezia sympodialis con un predominio del 100 por ciento. Correspondiendo al mayor porcentaje de positividad al grupo etario de 4-7 años (56.52 por ciento). Las localizaciones anatómicas predominantes fueron: pabellón auricular (25.5 por ciento) seguida de pecho (21.3 por ciento) y espalda (19.1 por ciento). Conclusiones: En niños con HIV/SIDA se observa un patrón de colonización por M. sympodialis.

Background: Malassezia species are part of the normal human skin biota and can be isolated from different body areas, mainly those rich in sebaceous glands. Colonization is high during prepuberal and puberal for the increased activity of the sebaceous glands. Aims: Determine the colonization by Malassezia species in healthy skin of children and teenagers with HIV/AIDS. Methods: Samples were taken using imprint method with transparent adhesive tape, were taken from scalp, ear, chest, back, thigh, forearm and palm; were inoculated in Spondias dulcis medium. The species identification was performed according the instructions described by Guého et al, Tween diffusion test proposed by Guillot et al, catalase test, and the use of tryptophan as only source of nitrogen. Results: From a total of 80 children and teenagers, only 23 (28.75 percent) of them were isolated Malassezia. 10 (43.48 percent) were from males and 13 (56.52 percent) from females. Found only Malassezia sympodialis with a prevalence of 100 percent. Corresponding to the higher percentage of positivity the age group 4-7 years (56.52 percent). The predominant anatomical locations were: ear (25.5 percent) followed by chest (21.3 percent) and back (19.1 percent) respectively. Conclusions: In children with HIV / AIDS colonization pattern observed is the present of M. sympodialis.

Aislamiento e identificación fenotípica y genotípica de cepas de Malassezia spp. en pacientes con pitiriasis versicolor / Isolation and identification phenotypic and genotypic strains of Malassezia spp. in patients with pytiriasis versicolor

Antecedentes: Pitiriasis versicolor (PV) es una infección micótica superficial crónica de la piel, debido a la colonización del estrato córneo por Malassezia sp. Tradicionalmente M. furfur era considerada el agente causal de PV, hoy en día se ha demostrado que las especies de Malassezia más comunes cultivadas a partir de de lesiones de PV son M. globosa y M. sympodialis. Objetivos: Evaluar la epidemiología de la dermatomicosis PV, en pacientes de la ciudad de Talca, Chile. Metodología: En este estudio, 19 pacientes diagnosticados con PV fueron evaluados. Se realizó identificación fenotípica e identificación molecular por técnica de PCR-RFLP. Para esto, se diseñaron partidores que amplificaron una zona del 26S ADNr presente en todas las especies de Malassezia. Resultados: De un total de 19 pacientes con PV, 7 correspondieron a sexo masculino (36,8 por ciento) y 12 a sexo femenino (63,2 por ciento). Se obtuvieron 18 cepas, a partir de las pruebas fenotípicas fue posible identificar presuntivamente 11 especies de M. globosa (61,1 por ciento) y 7 especies de M. sympodialis (38,9 por ciento). Con los resultados obtenidos en la PCR-RFLP fue posible identificar 11 especies de M. globosa (61,1 por ciento) y 7 especies (38,9 por ciento) de M. sympodialis. Conclusiones: La especie identificada fenotípicamente y molecularmente en mayor proporción fue Malassezia globosa seguida de Malassezia sympodialis. Por lo que hay concordancia entre ambas técnicas de identificación. Este es el primer trabajo de investigación realizado en Talca, Chile, que identificó las especies de Malassezia spp. involucradas en PV, siendo un aporte al estudio de este cuadro clínico.

Background: Pytiriasis versicolor (PV) is a fungal infection of the skin due to the stratum corneum colonization by Malassezia sp. M. furfur traditionally was considered the etiological agent of PV but today it has been shown that M. globosa and M. sympodialis are the most common Malassezia species cultivated from PV lesions. Objective: To evaluate the epidemiological features of PV in patient of the Talca city, Chile. Method: In this study, 19 patients with diagnosis of PV were evaluated. Phenotypic and molecular identified were performed using PCR-RFLP. To do this, primers to amplify 26S ADNr secuence were designed. Result: From a total of 19 patients who presented PV, 7 were male (36.8 percent) and 12 female patients (63.2 percent). Eighteen strains were obtained, from the phenotypic tests, it was possible to presumably identify 11 species of M. globosa (61.1 percent) and 7 species of M. sympodialis (38.9 percent). With PCRRFLP results it was possible to identify 11 species of M. globosa (61.1 percent) and 7 species (38.9 percent) of M. sympodialis. Conclusion: The most commonly isolated species were Malassezia globosa followed by Malassezia sympodialis. So, there is agreement between both techniques of identification. This is the first research work carried out in Talca, Chile, which identified the species of Malassezia spp. Involved in PV, being a contribution to the clinical diagnosis.

Dermatite seborreica / Seborrheic dermatitis

A dermatite seborreica é uma doença eritêmato-escamativa de caráter crônico-recidivante que acomete entre 1 e 3 por cento da população geral dos Estados Unidos. Possui dois picos de incidência - o primeiro, durante os três primeiros meses de vida, e o segundo, a partir da puberdade, atingindo seu ápice entre os 40 e 60 anos de idade. Os indivíduos HIV positivos têm maior prevalência da doença, que apresenta maior intensidade e tendência à refratariedade ao tratamento. Doenças neurológicas e outras doenças crônicas também estão associadas ao desenvolvimento da dermatite seborreica. Como mecanismo fisiopatogênico, reconhece-se que o fungo Malassezia sp., presente na pele de indivíduos suscetíveis, leve a uma irritação não-imunogênica a partir da produção de metabólitos à base de ácidos graxos insaturados deixados na superfície cutânea. Este artigo faz uma revisão da literatura sobre dermatite seborreica, com ênfase nos aspectos imunogenéticos, formas clínicas e tratamento.

Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic relapsing erythematous scaly skin disease, the prevalence of which is around 1 to 3 percent of the general population in the United States. It has two incidence peaks, the first in the first three months of life and the second beginning at puberty and reaching its apex at 40 to 60 years of age. The prevalence of seborrheic dermatitis is higher in HIV-positive individuals and the condition tends to be more intense and refractory to treatment in these patients. Neurological disorders and other chronic diseases are also associated with the onset of seborrheic dermatitis. The currently accepted theory on the pathogenesis of this disease advocates that yeast of Malassezia spp., present on the skin surface of susceptible individuals, leads to a non-immunogenic irritation due to the production of unsaturated fatty acids deposited on the skin surface. This article provides a review of the literature on seborrheic dermatitis, focusing on immunogenetics, the clinical forms of the disease and its treatment.

Colonización de especies de malassezia en piel sana de niños en edad preescolar / Colonization of malassezia species on healthy skin of preschool children

Las levaduras del género Malassezia forman parte de la piel normal del hombre y otros vertebrados. La reciente descripción de nuevas especies para el género ha incentivado interés en el estudio de las mismas en diversos países, por lo tanto, es importante realizar investigaciones tendentes a obtener datos epidemiológicos de las especies en países tropicales como Venezuela. El estudio se realizó en piel sana de niños en edad preescolar (2 a 7 años) Las muestras fueron tomadas de diferentes áreas del cuerpo e inoculadas en el medio modificado de Dixon y Sabouraud Dextrosa Agar e incubadas a 32 °C. La identificación de las especies se realizó siguiendo las claves descritas por Guého y col. En la población estudiada se aislaron tres especies M. furfur, M. globosa y M. slooffiae. La especie predominante fue M. furfur con un 76,2% en todos los grupos etareos, seguida de M. globosa 16,7% y M. slooffiae 7,1% En relación a las localizaciones anatómicas M. furfur presentó un predominio en espalda (31,2%) seguida de pabellón auricular y pecho (21,9% respectivamente). M. globosa se aisló con mayor frecuencia de cuero cabelludo (71,4%) y M. slooffiae se observó en espalda (66,7%) y pabellón auricular (33,3%). Según las pruebas estadísticas aplicadas, no se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los grupos evaluados. Cabe destacar la importancia de continuar las investigaciones en otros grupos etarios, para establecer cuáles son las especies prevalentes en nuestra región y evaluar su potencial patógeno

Malassezia yeast forms part of the normal skin on man and other vertebrates. Recent descriptions of new species have stimulated interest in their study in diverse countries; it is important to conduct further research to collect epidemiological data about the species in tropical countries such as Venezuela. This study was made on healthy skins of preschool-age children (2 to 7 years). Samples were taken from different areas of the body, inoculated into a modified medium of Dixon and Sabouraud Agar and incubated at 32°C. Species identification was made following the code described by Guého and collaborators. In the population of children, three species were isolated: M furfur, M. globosa and M. slooffiae. The predominant species was M. furfur with 76.2% in all ages studied, followed by M globosa, 16.7%, and M. slooffiae, 7.1%. In relation to anatomical locations, M. furfur predominated on the back (31.2%), followed by the auricle (outer ear) and chest (21.9%), respectively. M globosa was most frequently isolated from the scalp (71.4%) and M. slooffiae was observed on the back (66.7%) and the auricle (33.3%). According to the statistical tests applied, there were no significant differences between the evaluated groups. It is important to continue this research with other age groups, to establish the prevalent species in this region and evaluate their pathogenic potential

Pitiriasis versicolor por Malassezia pachydermatis: caso clínico / Pityriasis versicolor caused by Malassezia pachydermatis: clinical case

Se presenta un caso clínico de pitiriasis versicolor por M. pachydermatis en una paciente de 11 años de edad, diagnosticado mediante clínica, morfofisiología y biología molecular. Malassezia pachydermatis es parte de la microbiota común de diversos mamíferos domésticos y animales salvajes. En éstos se reconoce como agente causal de dermatitis y otitis externa. En humanos se han descrito escasas infecciones ya sea superficiales como invasoras, lo que puede atribuirse a la difícil transmisión y adaptación a partir de los animales domésticos. Se comentan los aspectos biológicos y epidemiológicos de esta infección zoonótica.

A clinical case of pityriasis versicolor caused by M. pachydermatis in an 11 year old patient which was diagnosed by means of clinic, morphophysiology and molecular biology is presented. Malassezia pachydermatis is part of regular microbiota in several domestic mammals as well as wild animals. It is recognized as the causing agent of dermatitis and external otitis in the latter. As to human beings, superficial infections have rarely been given an invasive character what can be explained by the difficult transmission and adaptation coming from domestic animals. Biological and epidemiological aspects of this zoonotic infection are described.

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

Actividad lipasa de especies de Malassezia aisladas en pacientes sanos y con lesiones dérmicas / Lipase activity of Malassezia species isolated from healthy patients and having dermic lesions

Las levaduras del género Malassezia forman parte de la micro biota normal de piel humana y animal. Excepto M. pachydermatis, todas las especies de este género son lipodependientes. Bajo ciertos factores, Malassezia se asocia como agente etiológico en diversas afecciones dérmicas. Uno de los principales factores de virulencia de estas levaduras es su actividad de lipasa (AL). El objetivo de este trabajo fue introducir modificaciones a las técnicas de determinación de la actividad lipasa (AL) para su aplicación en levaduras lipodependientes y estudiar la AL en cepas de Malassezia aisladas de personas con piel sana y de pacientes con pitiriasis versicolor (PV), dermatitis seborreica (DS) y psoriasis (PS). Se estudiaron 94 cepas aisladas de 34 pacientes con lesiones de PV, 20 con DS, 7 con PS y 33 cepas de personas con piel sana. Las modificaciones planteadas a la técnica, que incluyeron variación del medio de cultivo y tiempos de incubación, permitieron la determinación semi cuantitativa de la AL con resultados claros y definidos. El 88,23 por ciento de las cepas presentó AL. No se obtuvieron diferencias estadísticamente significativas al comparar la AL entre las cepas de pacientes con afecciones de piel y las cepas aisladas de personas sanas. La producción de lipasas de las especies de Malassezia en orden decreciente fue: M. sympodialis, M. slooffiae, M. furfur, M. globosa, M. restricta. M. globosa y M. furfur fueron las especies en que se observaron mayor cantidad de cepas no productoras de AL y cepas con gran variabilidad en la medida de AL.

Yeasts of the genus Malassezia are part of the regular microbiota in human and animal skin. Except for M. pachydermatis, all the species of this genus are lipodependent. Malassezia, under certain factors, is associated as an etiological agent in diverse dermic affections. One of the main virulence factors of these yeasts is their lipase activity (LA). The objective of this research was to introduce some changes in the techniques adopted to determine the lipase activity (LA) in order to apply them to lipodependent yeasts and to study likewise the LA in Malassezia strains isolated from healthy skin people and patients diagnosed with pitiriasis versicolor (VP), greasy dermatitis (GD) and psoriasis ( PS). Ninety four strains isolated from 34 patients having VP lesions, 20 with GD, 7 with PS and 33 strains from healthy skin people. Changes suggested to the technique involved a variation in the medium of culture as well as in the time of incubation what resulted in the semiquantitative determination of the LA together with clear and precise results. The presence of LA was observed in of 88.23 percent strains. The comparison of the LA among strains of patients bearing injured skin and those isolated from healthy skin did not show any significant statistical difference. The production of lipasae from Malassezia species were in decreasing order: M.sympodialis, M. slooffiae, M.furfur,M.globosa and M.restricta. M. globosa and M. furfur were the species that revealed the highest number of non producting LA strains as well as strains with the highest variability in the degree of LA.

[Psoriasis and infestation with Malassezia]

Psoriasis is a chronic proliferative condition of the skin. Its accurate pathogenesis has not been known yet but interactions between genes and environmental factors have been implicated in its initiation. Although several reports have associated this lipophilic yeast with development of skin lesions in Psoriasis, the definite role of this lipophilic yeast in psoriasis is still undetermined. Our aim was to investigate the correlation between Malassezia and psoriasis. In this six-month's case-control study, a sample was obtained from cutaneous lesions of 50 psoriatic patients and 50 healthy volunteers as control group for evaluation of Malassezia infestation. Data were collected by use of questionnaires and analysed by SPSS software and using statistical tests of X[2] and Mann-whitney. There is no difference between Malassezia infestation in scalp lesions of psoriatic and healthy persons [P=0.86]. Malassezia infestation in psoriatic patients with scalp involvement was more than those without scalp involvement, but this relationship was not statistically significiant [P=0.069]. There is an inverse significant relationship between scalp infestation with Malassezia and chronicity of psoriasis [P=0.04]. Infestation with Malassezia in body skin of psoriatic patients was less than normal persons [P< 0.000]. It seems that Malassezia has an initiating role in inducing immune mechanism involved in pathogenesis of scalp psoriasis by Malassezia, but with chronicity and formation of dry and hyperkeratotic plaques, the environment will be inappropriate for Malassezia, so Malassezia infestation decreases with chronicity of disease

Malassezia pachydermatis: enzymes production in isalates from external ear canal of dogs with and without otitis

Pesquisou-se a possível relação entre a produção de enzimas e a patogenicidade de Malassezia pachydermatis. Foram estudadas 30 cepas de M. pachydermatis provenientes de cães: 15 isoladas de animais com otite externa e 15 isoladas de condutos auditivos de animais assintomáticos. As amostras, obtidas pela introdução de uma zaragatoa no conduto auditivo, após limpeza do pavilhão auricular com solução de álcool-éter, foram semeadas em ágar Sabouraud dextrose acrescido de cloranfenicol (100mg/l) e incubadas a 37 graus centígrados por até dias semanas. As colônias foram identificadas por meio de estudo macro e micromorfológico. As amostras isoladas foram investigadas quanto à produção das enzimas condroitina-sulfatase, hialuronidase, fosfolipase e proteinase. A maioria delas mostrou alta produção das quatro enzimas pesquisadas. A análise estatística não evidenciou diferenças na atividade enzimática entre as amostras testadas. M. pachydermatis, isolada como componente da microbiota sapróbia ou nos casos de otite externa, tem a capacidade de produzir as quatro enzimas. Provavelmente M. pachydermatis apresenta outros fatores de virulência que estejam mais relacionados ao parasitismo.

Papilomatosis reticulada y confluente: Gougerot y Carteaud / Confluent and reticulated papillomatosis of Gougerot and Carteaud

Se presenta un paciente de 22 años de edad, de sexo masculino, diabético insulino dependiente con pápulas eritematoparduscas de pocos milímetros de diámetro, queratósicas y pruriginosas en cuello y tronco. Estas lesiones coalescen formando placas de aspecto reticulado en la periferia, vinculables a papilomatosis reticulada y confluente de Gougerot y Cateaud. Las mismas se combinan con lesiones de petiriasis versicolor (examen micológico directo positivo para Pitirosporum orbiculare). Luego de un tratamiento inicial inefectivo con itraconazol se obtuvo una respuesta satisfactoria con minociclina 100 mg/día en un mes de tratamiento e hidroquinona tópica

Pustulosis neonatal por malassezia furfur: aporte de cuatro casos clínicos / Neonatal malassezia furfur pustulosis: 4 cases report

La pustulosis neonatal por Malassezia furfur es una erupción papulopustulosa no folicular de cara, cuero cabelludo y cuello que aparece en el primer mes de vida. Se presentan cuatro neonatos con lesiones clínicas de pustulosis por Malassezia furfur en los cuales se confirmó el diagnóstico por examen micológico directo del material obtenido de pústulas. Se realiza diagnóstico diferencial con otras pustulosis del recién nacido, particularmente con el acné neonatal. Se observó buena respuesta terapéutica al ketoconazol tópico en forma de crema al 2 por ciento, aplicada dos veces al día durante dos semanas

role of distribution of malasezia furfur serovars, propionibacteria and micrococcaceae in the pathogenesis of tinea versicolor and seborrhoeic dermatitis

This study was designed to compare the distribution of M. Furfur serovars [A, B and C], Propionibacteria and Micrococcaceae on the chest, face, back and scalp of 40 patients with tinea versicolor [TV] and ten matched controls and 40 patients with seborrhoeic dermatitis [SD] and ten matched controls. The patients and controls were sampled from the mentioned sites and cultured aerobically for Micrococcaceae and M. furfur and anaerobically for Propionibacteria. Serotyping of M. Furfur was carried out to identify the three serovars A, B and C. There was no difference in either the Micrococcaceae or Propionibacteria results in patients groups compared with control skin. Regarding the results of M. furfur, serovar A predominated in the back lesions in both patients groups when compared with the control. Serovar A was also predominant in the face lesions but only in seborrhoeic dermatitis patients, serovar C predominated in all sites [in both patient groups] and serovar B predominated in all lesions of TV patients and in the back, face and neck in SD patients

Pityriasis versicolor is-it infectious or not?

The aim of the present study is to determine whether pityriasis versicolor is an infectious disease or not. Twenty volunteers were studied, ten were normal individuals and the other ten were patients who had a history of infection with Pityriasis versicolor [PV]. Three adhesive plaster tapes were placed on the upper back of each volunteer. The first tape contained Pityrosporum, the second tape Malessezia furfur, and the third tape which was empty was used as control. Two weeks later, all tapes were removed and the skin was re-examined both clinically and mycologically. In those patients with a history of PV, lesions appeared under the first tape in 8 patients [80%], and both under the second and third tapes in 6 patients [60%]. Among the control group, Pityriasis versicolor lesions appeared under the first tape in 2 volunteers [20%], and under both the second and third tapes in one patient each [10%]. These findings indicated that only in the susceptible individuals did these organisms yield P.V. lesions clinically

Foliculitis por malassezia / Malassezia folliculitis

Son analizadas las características clínicas y datos epidemiológicos de quince enfermos que acusaban foliculitis por malassezia, observados en la ciudad de Santa Fe (Argentina). Se efectúa una revisión de los factores predisponentes y/o coadyuvantes para el desarrollo de esta enfermedad y se los compara con lo publicado por otros autores. La terapéutica instituida fue itraconazol oral, adicionada con lavados con champú de ketoconazol, logrando controlar la enfermedad. Se enfatiza la mayor frecuencia de casos de foliculitis por malassezia en zonas geográficas con climas cálidos y húmedos

Enfermedad de Darier y pitiriasis versicolor / Darier's disease and pityriasis versicolor

El propósito del presente trabajo es presentar un caso de Enfermedad de Darier y pitiriasis versicolor, con lesiones localizadas en la frente y otras áreas atípicas, en un paciente masculino de 35 años. El diagnóstico se estableció por exámenes histopatológicos, micológicos y bacteriológicos. Se trató al paciente con fluconazol 150 mg., medicación tópica con ciclopirox, antipruriginosos, cremas hidratantes y ketoconazol champú; con lo cual se obtuvo la remisión de la infección y la mejoría del cuadro general del paciente. En la bibliografía consultada no se encontraron casos de esta asociación