Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Malassezia Infections in Humans and Animals: Pathophysiology, Detection, and Treatment

2015; Public Library of Science; Volume: 11; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1371/journal.ppat.1004523

1553-7374

Aristea Velegraki, Claudia Cafarchia, Georgios Gaitanis, Roberta Iatta, Teun Boekhout,

Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases

The fungal genus Malassezia comprises lipid-dependent and lipophilic yeast species that are part of the normal skin microbiota [1]. The 14 species are classified in class Malasseziomycetes in the Ustilaginomycotina of Basidiomycota [2]. Malassezia species can be involved in skin disorders, such as pityriasis versicolor, seborrheic dermatitis, atopic eczema, and folliculitis, and occur at higher population densities on scalps with dandruff than on scalps without dandruff [3], [4]. Occasionally, invasive infections by Malassezia pachydermatis and lipid-dependent Malassezia spp. occur in neonates, most often in those who are receiving intravenous lipid supplementation, or in immunocompromised patients receiving parenteral nutrition via a catheter. Malassezia spp. have not yet been cultured from the environment, but metagenomics identified Malassezia phylotypes from terrestrial and marine habitats [5]. For instance, Malassezia ribosomal DNA (rDNA) has been reported from soil nematodes [6], sponges [7], and rocks [8]. Undeniably, much remains to be discovered about the spectrum of habitats exploited by Malassezia that would advance our knowledge on the ecological relationships between the Malassezia skin biotic community, their hosts, and the environment. The aim of this article is to review and discuss the literature available on the pathogenesis, detection, typing, and treatment of Malassezia infections in humans and animals.