Abstract: Objective To investigate the skin colonization by Malassezia in neonates and its influential factors.Methods Vaginal samples were taken from the mothers just before natural labor and inoculated on slant culture medium.Skin samples were obtained from neonates (8 skin sites per neonate,from the time of birth to discharge from the hospital),their mothers (chest and palm,on the 2nd day after delivery) and their nurses (palm,on the 2nd day after the neonates'birth)by sterile adhesive tape,and inoculated on Petri dish.All samples were cultured in the medium containing rapeseed oil at 32℃.The isolates were identified to species based on their microscopic and physiologic features.Results Neither the 52 vaginal samples from 104 mothers nor the palm samples from 15 nurses were positive for the isolation.None of the skin samples from 104 neonates at the time of birth were positive for the isolation,regardless the delivery mode (natural labor or Caesarean section).Skin colonization by Malassezia occurred in 28 of 104 neonates (26.92%)on the first day after birth,and in 59 neonates (56.73%)on the 8th day,with 41 strains (69.49%)ofM.furfur isolated.Sixty-five of 104 mothers (62.50%)were positive for the Malassezia culture with 49 strains (75.38%)of M.furfur isolated.Among 124 isolates of Malassezia from neonates and their mothers,92 (74.19%)shared the same species of M.furfur.The highest isolation rate of M.furfur was observed on the forehead (100.00%)and face (94.92%)of neonates.Conclusions The earliest skin colonization by Malassezia in neonates began on the first day after birth,with the preponderant species of M.furfur and the most common sites of forehead and face for the colonization.The Malassezia colonizing the neonatal skin probably originates from the maternal skin,where the fungus has already existed.

Key words: Malassczia, Infant,newborn, Skin, Colonization