En búsqueda del Phymatotrichopsis Omnívora, en pobladores de la Colonia Tovar, Venezuela, octubre 2007 / Phymatotrichopsis Omnivore, study search at Aragua Colonia Tovar residents, Venezuela, October 2007

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, y de corte transversal, con el propósito de investigar la presencia del hongo Phymatotrichopsis omnívora como agente etiológico , del alerta epidemiológica denunciada en un medio de comunicación regional, la cual le atribuyo a este hongo el deterioro de la cosecha del durazno, conocida por los pobladores como secason y algunas lesiones de piel en pacientes adultos y pediátricos de los caseríos, Gabante, área urbana y el Cedral, del Municipio Tovar, Estado Aragua; Venezuela. Se examinaron 144 pacientes con lesiones de piel sospechosos de micosis superficial que acudieron a la consulta de los centros de salud de la zona. Se realizó examen de piel y faneras, examen directo; cultivos para hongos y biopsia de piel los cuales fueron procesados en el laboratorio del Hospital Central de Maracay y en el Servicio de Anatomía Patológica del Instituto Autónomo de Biomedicina, Caracas. Los datos básicos se registraron en ficha epidemiológica; se procedió al análisis estadístico; encontrándose entre las 10 primeras patologías dermatológicas: Pitiriasis alba (18,75%), Queratosis Folicular (11,1%), Quiste Millium (10,4%), Acné (6,25%),Prurigo Infantil (6,25%), Picaduras de Insectos (5,5%),Dermatitis Seborreica (4,9%), Micosis Superficial (4,16%), Urticaria (4,16%), Melasma (3.47%), otras (2.7%). De origen micótico encontramos, dos con Pitiriasis Versicolor cuyo agente etiológico fue Malassezia furfur; dos Onicomicosis, uno Tiña Corporal y uno con Tiña Inguinal; aislándose en los cultivos Trichophytum rubrum. En conclusión: de 144 personas examinadas ninguna presentó lesiones atribuidas al hongo Phymatotrichopsis omnívora.

It was made a cross-sectional descriptive, with the purpose of investigating the presence of the mushroom Phymatotrichopsis omnivore as an etiological agent, of an epidemic alert reported on a regional communications medium; which attributed to this fungus deterioration peach crop, known to residents as 'secasón' and some skin lesions in adult and paediatrics patients in the hamlets, Gabante, urban and Cedral, Tovar Municipality, Aragua; Venezuela. We examined 144 patients with skin lesions suspected of superficial fungal infections and they were seen at the health centers in the area. Examination was made of skin and appendages, direct examination, fungal cultures and skin biopsies which were processed in the laboratory of the Central Hospital of Maracay and the Pathology Department of the Autonomous Institute of Biomedicine, Caracas. Baseline data were recorded in epidemiological record, we proceeded to statistical analysis to be among the top 10 dermatological diseases: Pityriasis Alba (18.75%), follicular keratosis (11.1%), cyst Millium (10.4%) Acne (6.25%), Child Prurigo (6.25%), insect bites (5.5%), seborrheic dermatitis (4.9%) Superficial Mycoses (4.16%), urticaria (4.16 %), melasma (3.47%), other (2.7%). Of fungal origin found, two with Pityriasis Versicolor whose etiologic agent was Malassezia furfur; two onychomycosis, one Corporal and one Tinea jock itch, isolated from cultures Trichophytum rubrum. In conclusion: of 144 people tested had no injuries attributed to the fungus Phymatotrichopsis omnivorous.

Comportamiento de malassezia furfur en medios de cultivo con base en los exudados gomosos de spondias dulcis y spondias mombin: producción de lipasa extracelular / Growth of malassezia furfur in media with spondias dulcis and spondias mombin gum exudates: production of extracellular lipase

El desarrollo de las levaduras del género Malassezia requiere condiciones especiales, estos hongos que producen afecciones en la piel, son generalmente cultivados en el medio Dixon. Se ensayaron los exudados gomosos de Spondias dulcis y Spondias mombin como sustratos para Malassezia furfur. Se evaluó también la producción de lipasa. Se determinó la cinética de crecimiento a un determinado intervalo de tiempo (0-168h), y a diferente concentración (0,5; 1%) y pH (4,5; 6,0). La biomasa obtenida para la levadura probada demostró que los sustratos preparados con los exudados gomosos son adecuados para su desarrollo. La mayor actividad de lipasa extracelular se observó al tiempo inicial de estudio (18h) en ambos sustratos, en las condiciones usadas: concentración (0,5 y 1%) y pH(4,5 y 6,0). Estas especies botánicas, ampliamente localizadas en Venezuela, especialmente en los Estados Zulia y Falcón, producen abundante goma. Este hecho, y los resultados obtenidos podrían ser útiles en la obtención de un nuevo sustrato, que pueda competir con el medio Dixon para el aislamiento y la caracterización de especies de Malassezia, y para la producción de lipasa

The development of genus Malassezia yeasts requires special conditions. This fungus, which produces skin diseases, is generally cultivated in the Dixon medium. Gum exudates from Spondias dulcis and Spondias mombin were tested as substrates for Malassezia furfur. Lipase production was also evaluated. The growth kinetic was determined for a given time range (0-168h) at different concentrations (0.5; 1%) and pH levels (4.5; 6.0). The biomass obtained for the tested yeast showed that substrates prepared with S. dulcis and S.mombin gum exudates are suitable for its development. The highest extracellular lipase activity was observed at 18h on both substrates at given concentrations (0.5; 1%) and pH (4.5; 6.0). These botanical species, widely located in Venezuela, especially in the States of Zulia and Falcon, yield abundant gum. Findings may be useful for obtaining new substrates that could compete with the Dixon medium for isolation and characterization of Malassezia species and for lipase production

In vitro Activity of Celery Essential Oil against Malassezia furfur

Antifungal activity of celery essential oil against Malassezia furfur was investigated using broth microdilution and vapor contact methods. Potent antifungal activity was evident using both methods. Fungicidal activity was revealed in the vapor contact method.

The Effect of Detergents on the Morphology and Immunomodulatory Activity of Malassezia furfur

BACKGROUND: Several workers have found that Malassezia are capable of suppressing cytokine release and downregulating the phagocytic function of monocytes. But lipid-depleted Malassezia furfur (M. furfur) extracts have also been shown to induce increased production of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-1beta in monocytes. We thought that the detergents in shampoos or soaps could change the composition of the lipid in the M. furfur cell wall. OBJECTIVE: We studied whether detergents affect the morphology of M. furfur and if the inflammatory cytokine profiles change in the monocytes treated with detergent-treated M. furfur. METHODS: Commonly used detergents such as sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate and tween-80 were respectively added to the modified Leeming-Notman's media. M. furfur was cultivated in each media (detergent-added or untreated). Thereafter, the surface morphology of the yeast was evaluated by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The cytokine profiles of monocytes, which were treated by M. furfur with or without detergents, were also evaluated. RESULTS: The detergent- treated M. furfur were similar to the lipid-extracted form of M. furfur on the electron microscopic study, with a recessed, withered surface and with thinner and rather electron transparent cell walls than the detergent-untreated M. furfur. The levels of TNF-alpha were higher in monocytes treated with detergent-treated Malassezia than that in the monocytes treated with the detergent-untreated Malassezia (p <0.05). CONCLUSION: According to the findings in this study, it could be inferred that the detergents in shampoos or soaps affect the lipid layers of the Malassezia cell wall and these lipid-extracted Malassezia induce or aggravate some inflammatory conditions. But to correlate the relationship between detergents and Malassezia-associated diseases, in vivo experiments that will focus on short-term contact with detergents in real life conditions should be done.

The Effect of Detergents on the Morphology and Immunomodulatory Activity of Malassezia furfur

BACKGROUND: Several workers have found that Malassezia are capable of suppressing cytokine release and downregulating the phagocytic function of monocytes. But lipid-depleted Malassezia furfur (M. furfur) extracts have also been shown to induce increased production of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-1beta in monocytes. We thought that the detergents in shampoos or soaps could change the composition of the lipid in the M. furfur cell wall. OBJECTIVE: We studied whether detergents affect the morphology of M. furfur and if the inflammatory cytokine profiles change in the monocytes treated with detergent-treated M. furfur. METHODS: Commonly used detergents such as sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate and tween-80 were respectively added to the modified Leeming-Notman's media. M. furfur was cultivated in each media (detergent-added or untreated). Thereafter, the surface morphology of the yeast was evaluated by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The cytokine profiles of monocytes, which were treated by M. furfur with or without detergents, were also evaluated. RESULTS: The detergent- treated M. furfur were similar to the lipid-extracted form of M. furfur on the electron microscopic study, with a recessed, withered surface and with thinner and rather electron transparent cell walls than the detergent-untreated M. furfur. The levels of TNF-alpha were higher in monocytes treated with detergent-treated Malassezia than that in the monocytes treated with the detergent-untreated Malassezia (p <0.05). CONCLUSION: According to the findings in this study, it could be inferred that the detergents in shampoos or soaps affect the lipid layers of the Malassezia cell wall and these lipid-extracted Malassezia induce or aggravate some inflammatory conditions. But to correlate the relationship between detergents and Malassezia-associated diseases, in vivo experiments that will focus on short-term contact with detergents in real life conditions should be done.

Comparación del crecimiento de Malassezia furfur y Malassezia slooffiae en los medios del exudado gomoso de spondias dulcis y dixon / Comparison of the growth of Malassezia furfur and Malassezia slooffiae on spondias dulcis gum exudate and dixon media

Las levaduras del género Malassezia son hongos que producen afecciones en la piel. El desarrollo de estos microorganismos requiere condiciones especiales. El medio Dixon es generalmente usado para su cultivo. Se ensayo el exudado gomoso de Spondias dulcis como sustrato para Malassezia furfur y Malassezia slooffiae en comparación con el medio Dixon. Se determino la cinética de crecimiento a un determinado rango de tiempo (0-120h), a diferentes concentraciones (1,2 por ciento) y pH (4,0;6,0;7,0). La relativa alta biomasa obtenida para las dos levaduras probadas demostró que el sustrato preparado con el exudado gomoso de S. dulcis es adecuado para su desarrollo. Spondias dulcis especie localizada en Venezuela produce abundante goma. Este hecho, y los resultados obtenidos podría ser útil para preparar un nuevo sustrato que pueda competir con Dixon para el aislamiento y la caracterización de especies de Malassezia.

Malassezia yeasts are fungi that produce skin affections. Growth of these microorganisms requires specific conditions. The Dixon medium has generally been used for their culture and has been tested. The use of Spondias gum as a substrate for Malassezia furfur and Malassezia slooffiae was tried and compared with the Dixon medium. The growth kinetic for a given time range(0-120 h) was determined at different concentrations (1.2 percent) and pH levels (4,0; 6,0;7,0). The relatively high biomass obtained for the two tested yeasts demonstrated that the substrate prepared with S. dulcis gum exudate is suitable for their growth. Spondias dulcis, a species located in Venezuela, yields abundant gum. This fact and the results discussed above indicate that it could be used to prepare a substrate that could compete with Dixon for isolating and characterizing the Malassezia species.

Clinical and experimental research on Cuochuang Misture for treatment of acne vulgaris of syndrome of dampness and heat in lung and stomach / 中华中医药杂志

Objectives:To observe the therapeutic effect of Cuochuang Misture on acne vulgaris and study the mechanism by external bacteria repressing experiment.Methods:34 cases of acne of syndrome of dampness and heat in lung and stomach were treated with Cuochuang Misture and 28 cases with Dangguikushen Pill as controls,and their curative effect were compared;Different concentration of Cuochuang Misture were used to inhibit Propionibacterium acnes(P.ance)and Malassezia furfur(M.furfur).Results:The clinical total effective rates were 94.12%in the treatment group,and 89.29%in the control group.The scores of skin lesions and syndromes reduced obviously between two groups in the end of the treatment(P

A Case of Malassezia furfur Fungemia Associated with Central Venous Catheter Receiving Lipid Supplementation / 대한임상미생물학회지

Although Malassezia furfur is normal skin flora causing superficial skin diseases, cases of fungemia have been reported recently in premature newborns or immunocompromised patients related to prolonged central venous catheterization for lipid supplementation. We report a case of M. furfur fungemia in a premature infant receiving intravenous lipid supplementation through central venous circulation. She was treated only with antifungal agents without removal of the catheter or discontinuation of lipid supplementation. Soon after, symptoms and signs of the patient seemed to be improved. However, central venous catheter was removed because of recurrent septicemia of Staphylococcus aureus and the culture of central venous catheter tip showed colonization of M. furfur.

Tinea Versicolor; A Prospective Survey / 대한의진균학회지

BACKGROUND: Tinea versicolor is regarded as one of the most common dermatoses. It constitutes about 3% of dermatological patients. OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the frequency of tinea versicolor among patients with fungal skin infections. Special attention was paid to sex and age distribution, as well as to the associated cutaneous and systemic disorders. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was based on 2665 questionnaires. The clinical diagnosis of tinea versicolor was confirmed by positive direct mycological examination in 10~20% potassium hydroxide solution with addition of dimethyl sulfoxide and by yellow-orange Wood's lamp fluorescence of the lesions. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Tinea versicolor was diagnosed in 325 patients (12.2% of all patients with different fungal skin and nail infections). Female patients constituted 52.3% and males 47.7%. The majority of patients were from the big towns (81.2%), only 4% of patients lived in the rural areas. 45.3% of patients finished secondary school, 23.4% had higher education. The age of patients varied from 10 to 79 years, mean age 36.1 +/- 15.3 years. Tinea versicolor was diagnosed in 45.0% of patients between the age of 16 and 35 years and it was uncommon in children (5.2%). The duration of the disease was 1 week to 23 years, mean 2.5+/-3.5 years. 49.5% of patients were previously treated with different regimens, Other cutaneous abnormalities were found in 20.6% of patients with tinea versicolor. Among them acne (4.9%), seborrheic dermatitis (3,1%) and onychomycosis (3.1%) were the most common ones. 14.5% of tinea versicolor patients suffered from systemic diseases, such as arterial hypertension (4%), thyroid abnormalities (3.1%), coronary insufficiency (2.5%) and diabetes melllitus (1.5%).

Pityrosporum(Malassezia) Related Diseases Especially Seborrheic Dermatitis / 대한의진균학회지

The cause of seborrheic dermatitis is unknown, although many attempts have been made to relate it to infection with bacteria or with ,Malassezia furfur. Recently, there have been many studies concerning the efficacy of anti-fungal agents against seborrheic dermatitis. In this occasion, I introduce the result of studies concerning the efficacy of antimycotic drugs against dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis in Japan and in our outpatient clinic of dermatology. I also report the results of our laboratory studies concerning the mechanism of seborrheic dermatitis. We produced the animal models of seborrheic dermatitis. Lesions in immunized guinea pigs developed faster than those of non immunized guinea pigs. The anti-Malassezia IgY seems to delay the development of the lesion. Malassezia spores were detected from lesional skin by direct light microscopy method in our outpatient clinic. Approximately 85% of the facial sites and 75% of the scalp sites were positive in total. One of our clinical studies was a double-blind, comparative study conducted at 8 institutions on the usefulness of shampoo containing 0.75% miconazole nitrate (MZS) for the treatment of dandruff. Shampoo vehicle (BSS) without the reagent served as the control. MZS was evaluated as useful in 34 of the 58, and BSS in 19 of the 50 subjects, thus MZS was significantly more useful than BSS (p=0.020). The other clinical study concerned on the efficacy of ketoconazole cream used in 168 patients for the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis. This study was done as an open trial by multiple institutes. Approximately 80% evaluated as effective, in total. In 23 valuable cases, fungus disappeared in 16 cases (69.6%). It is concluded that anti-fungal agents have potential value as a new therapeutic agent -an alterative to steroids- for the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis.

Analysis of Nucleic Acids in Malassezia furfur Serovars A, B and C

BACKGROUND: Recently Malassezia (M.) furfur fungemia has been increasingly recognized in premature infants and adults receiving parenteral nutrition. Accordingly, analysis of nucleic acids in M. furfur serovars and strain typing methods based on genetic differences and similarities are required for epidemiological studies. OBJECTIVE: This study was done to analyze nucleic acids in M. furfur serovars A, B and C and to adapt the method of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of DNA to differentiate the strains of M. furfur serovars for use in epidemiological studies. METHODS: Cellular nucleic acids were extracted from the strains of M. furfur serovars and electrophoresed, followed by digestion of DNA and electrophoresis of the resultant DNA fragmegments. RESULTS: Each of the six strains, grown both on solid medium and liquid medium, revealed a genomic DNA. Interestingly, unique extra bands of RNA were observed in four of the six strains which had grown on solid medium. These bands were also seen in three of them grown in broth. The size of these bands were from 0.5 to 5.0 kbp by comparison with a ‘1 kb DNA ladder’. The restriction patterns generated by EcoR I, Hae III, Hind III, and Hinf I were not unsuccessful. The DNA from serovar B was insensitive to the above restriction enzymes. CONCLUSIONS: Although DNA was extracted from the strains, the amounts were not thought to be enough for RFLP analysis and the DNA from the serovar B was insensitive to the above restriction enzymes. Thus, further development of an extraction method of DNA is required for obtaining enough DNA from M. furfur serovars, and other restriction enzymes would have to be investigated for their ability to differentiate strains of M. furfur in epidemiological studies. Also, further investigation of RNA bands might be able to adapt them for a typing method.

Scanning electron microscopy of Malassezia furfur in tinea versicolor

Morphologic features of Malassezia(M.) furfur in the horny layer from clinical lesions of tinea versicolor were examined by scanning electron microscopy and compared with the appearance of fungus in the horny layer from normal skin and in culture. In skin lesions of tinea versicolor, M. furfur showed a variety of growth and reproduction patterns. Although the main patterns were budding yeast forms, various patterns suggesting yeast-mycelial conversion were observed and mycelial hyphae were more prominent in the deeper horny layer than in the superficial layers. However, in the skin of normal persons and in culture, M. furfur existed only as yeast forms and no mycelial hyphae or yeast-mycelial conversion forms were seen. This suggests that the morphologic change of M. furfur, from a yeast form to a mycelial hypha one, may play a role in the induction of the clinical lesion of tinea versicolor.

Scanning electron microscopy of Malassezia furfur in tinea versicolor

Morphologic features of Malassezia(M.) furfur in the horny layer from clinical lesions of tinea versicolor were examined by scanning electron microscopy and compared with the appearance of fungus in the horny layer from normal skin and in culture. In skin lesions of tinea versicolor, M. furfur showed a variety of growth and reproduction patterns. Although the main patterns were budding yeast forms, various patterns suggesting yeast-mycelial conversion were observed and mycelial hyphae were more prominent in the deeper horny layer than in the superficial layers. However, in the skin of normal persons and in culture, M. furfur existed only as yeast forms and no mycelial hyphae or yeast-mycelial conversion forms were seen. This suggests that the morphologic change of M. furfur, from a yeast form to a mycelial hypha one, may play a role in the induction of the clinical lesion of tinea versicolor.