Identification of Different Malassezia Species Isolated from Patients with Malassezia Infections

Yeasts of the genus Malassezia are known as the microflora of human skin and that of many warmblooded animals; but the different Malassezia species can induce superficial skin infections. Best known and most frequent is pityriasis versicolor (PV), a chronic and recurrent skin disease occurring primarily in hot and humid climates. The purpose of the present study was to make use of the metabolic differences and assay techniques, to compare the distribution of Malassezia species and gain insight into the epidemiology and ecology of the species identified. In this study, 25 patients with approved (PV) were selected and skin samples were cultured on Sabouraud glucose agar and mDixon. Differentiation of Malassezia species was performed using of assimilation of Tweens, catalase reaction, splitting of esculin and growth without addition of lipids. M. globosa (42.85%), M. furfur (31.4%), M. sympodialis (11.42%), M. pachydermatis (8.57%) and M. obtusa (5.71%) were the most important isolated. Interestingly, in 10 patients two different malassezia species were isolated. Regarding to the results of this study, M. furfur and M. globosa were the most prevalent species in the skin of patients with PV; so these organisms can jointly cause the infections. It is necessary to investigate of epidemiology and ecology of distribution of Malassezia species.