Abstract:

Objective To investigate the predisposing factors and pathogenic fungal species of Malassezia folliculitis in different geographical areas and body sites. Methods Totally, 241 patients diagnosed with Malassezia folliculitis were asked to complete a questionnaire. The content of hair follicles was obtained and subjected to fungal smear and culture examination. Fungal species were identified according to morpholo-gical, physiological and biochemical features. Results Of the 241 patients with Malassezia folliculitis, 204 （84.65%） were positive for smear examination. A total of 259 specimens were collected from these patients, and fungal culture grew 213 （82.24%） strains, of which, 209 belonged to Malassezia species, 4 （1.54%） to Candida species. Among the 209 Malassezia strains，186 were activated and subjected to species identification which resulted in 6 species，including M. furfur （111 strains, 59.68%），M. sloofiae （43 strains, 23.12%），M. sympodialis （17 strains, 9.14%），M. globosa （9 strains, 4.84%），M. pachydermatis （4 strains, 2.15%）, and M. obtuse （2 strains, 1.08%）. Of the pathogenic fungi of Malassezia folliculitis, M. furfur predominated in the chest, back, abdomen, face and neck, M. sloofiae in the upper limbs, shoulders and vertex, M. globosa in the lower limbs. There were obvious differences in the distribution of pathogenic fungal species at different body sites in a same host, and M. furfur with M. sloofiae or M. sympodialis appeared to be the most common pathogens. Conclusions In this study, 6 Malassezia species are identified in patients with Malassezia folliculitis in Nantong and Nanjing area, M. furfur and M. sloofiae appear to be the dominant pathogens.

Key words: culture