Prevalence of Malassezia species in pitiriasis versicolor lesions

GIUSIANO G; SOSA MA; ROJAS F; MANGIATERRA M ; TOMA VANACORE S; DELUCA G; CARRILLO MUÑOZ AJ

Torino

Congreso; 3º Trends in Medical Mycology; 2006

European Confederation of Medical Mycology (ECMM) and EORTC Infectious Diseases Group

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Malassezia species isolated from patients with pitiriasis versicolor (PV) and its distribution according to the skin lesions body site. PV relationship with age and sex were analyzed. Samples were obtained by scraping and then inoculated on Dixon agar at 32ºC for 7 days. By PCR-RFLP, 239 strains isolated from 218 patients were identified. Two hundred (200) strains were obtained as single aetiological agent and 39 in 18 associations. M. sympodialis (37,7%), M. globosa (37,2%), and M. furfur (21,3%), were the most frequent species. In lower percentage M. slooffiae (1,7%), M. restricta (1,3%) M. dermatis (0,4%) and M. pachydermatis (0,4%) were isolated. Most of PV lesions were observed in arms and trunk. Lesions in sites considered less frequent, as neck, face and groin, were observed. M. globosa, M. furfur, M. sympodialis and M. slooffiae were isolated more frequently from truck and arms. M. globosa, showing a wide distribution, was also isolated from face and neck. Associations were obtained from back, trunk and groin lesions. It?s noteworthy the isolation of the primary zoophylic M. pachydermatis from trunk, arm and neck of a young man. The high prevalence of PV (57,8%) was observed in 21-40 years old group. Prevalence in 0-20 years old group was 26,1% and in 41-70 years old group was 16,1%. No difference was observed respect to sex. This is a contribution to the knowledge of Malassezia genus ecology.