جداسازي و شناسايي گونه هاي مختلف مالاسزيا در بيماران مبتلا به پيتريازيس ورسيكالر در كاشان

Isolation and identification of Malassezia spp. in pityriasis versicolor patients in Kashan

AIMS. 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 is to identify Malassezia spp. from PV patients in Kashan. METHODS. Isolates of Malassezia were collected from 118 PV patients. 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 SPSS 11 software and Fischerʹs exact and descriptive statistical tests. RESULTS. 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%), M. furfur (38.4%), M. obtusa (9.8%), M. svmpodialis (6.3%) and M. slooffiae (1.8%). CONCLUSION. It is suggested that M. globosa presents the main species implicated in the pathogenicity of PY and M.furfur as the second agent of importance. In this study, hyperhydrosis is the main factor of disease by opportunistic yeasts of Malassezia.