Abstract: Objective To study the taxonomy of Malassezia and distribution of the it in some dermatoses. Methods One hundred and fifty strains of Malassezia yeasts from pityriasis versicolor (29 strains), Malassezia folliculitis (16 strains), seborrheic dermatitis (49 strains), onychomycosis (33 strains), and healthy individuals(23 strains) were studied, according to physiological and morphological features in culture, and compared to standard strains. Results 4 species of Malassezia yeasts including M.sympodialis (65 strains), M.furfur (13 strains), M.obtusa (1 strain) and M.globosa (71 strains) were found, and M.sympodialis and M.globosa were accounted for 43.3% and 47.3% respectively. M.globosa were found in Malassezia folliculitis only. Conclusion The methods described in this study represent an economical, simple approach which is available for identification of Malassezia species. There is a close correlation between M.globosa and Malassezia folliculitis.

Key words: Malassezia, Classification, Skin diseases