Epidemiologic Study of Malassezia Yeasts in Acne Patients by Analysis of 26S rDNA PCR-RFLP

BACKGROUND Although acne is a common follicular inflammatory dermatosis, studies of the relationship between Malassezia yeasts and acne have rarely been conducted. OBJECTIVE We sought to identify Malassezia yeasts from acne patients and establish a relationship between specific types of species of Malassezia and acne. METHODS Sixty acne patients were enrolled. Each strain obtained was identified as one of eleven species by 26S rDNA PCR-RFLP. We then compared these data with those of age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. RESULTS Growth of Malassezia was evident in fewer patients with acne (50%) in comparison to controls (70.6%). M. restricta was dominant in patients with acne (23.9%), whereas M. globosa was most common (26.7%) in healthy controls. In the patients group, the rate was the highest (71.7%) in the twenties and, in terms of body site, the rate was the highest (60%) in the chest. In the control group, the rate was the highest (75.0%) in the thirties and in the forehead (85.0%). CONCLUSION The detection rate of Malassezia yeasts was conspicuously low in the acne patients group. Statistically significant differences were observed between the patient and the control groups in the twenties and thirties, and in terms of body site, in the forehead and chest.