Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Malassezia ; growth & development ; physiology ; Staphylococcus epidermidis ; growth & development ; physiology

Betaine derivatives are considered major ingredients of shampoos and are commonly used as antistatic and viscosity-increasing agents. Several studies have also suggested that betaine derivatives can be used as antimicrobial agents. However, the antifungal activity and mechanism of action of betaine derivatives have not yet been fully understood. In this study, we investigated the antifungal activity of six betaine derivatives against Malassezia restricta, which is the most frequently isolated fungus from the human skin and is implicated in the development of dandruff. We found that, among the six betaine derivatives, lauryl betaine showed the most potent antifungal activity. The mechanism of action of lauryl betaine was studied mainly using another phylogenetically close model fungal organism, Cryptococcus neoformans, because of a lack of available genetic manipulation and functional genomics tools for M. restricta. Our genome-wide reverse genetic screening method using the C. neoformans gene deletion mutant library showed that the mutants with mutations in genes for cell membrane synthesis and integrity, particularly ergosterol synthesis, are highly sensitive to lauryl betaine. Furthermore, transcriptome changes in both C. neoformans and M. restricta cells grown in the presence of lauryl betaine were analyzed and the results indicated that the compound mainly affected cell membrane synthesis, particularly ergosterol synthesis. Overall, our data demonstrated that lauryl betaine influences ergosterol synthesis in C. neoformans and that the compound exerts a similar mechanism of action on M. restricta.
Anti-Infective Agents ; Betaine ; Cell Membrane ; Cryptococcus ; Cryptococcus neoformans ; Dandruff ; Ergosterol ; Fungi ; Gene Deletion ; Genetic Testing ; Genomics ; Humans ; Malassezia ; Methods ; Skin ; Transcriptome

No abstract available.
Adult* ; Fungemia* ; Humans ; Malassezia*

Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic, recurrent papulosquamous skin disorder characterized by flaking of the skin, erythema, pruritus, and oily skin. It is a common dermatosis, with a prevalence of approximately 1% to 3% of the general population in the United States. The incidence of this skin disease has a bimodal distribution, with peaks noted in newborns and in adults between 30 and 60 years of age. In adults, it predominantly occurs over areas of the body with a high concentration of sebaceous glands. The etiology of this disease is thought to be an inflammatory response of the body to Malassezia yeasts. It is also related to abnormal sebum secretion, as well as a heightened immune response of the host. Based on the characteristic features of this inflammatory skin disease, the mainstays of treatment for seborrheic dermatitis are antifungals, corticosteroids, and immunomodulatory agents. The primary goal of therapy for seborrheic dermatitis is to manage acute symptoms, including pruritus, erythema, and scaling. Maintenance treatment is directed toward preventing the recurrence of acute exacerbations. Patients should be informed that seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic condition, with a tendency to recur despite proper treatment. Clinicians should offer suggestions about lifestyle modifications to avoid triggers and choose proper treatment options that ensure the patient's safety.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Adult ; Dandruff ; Dermatitis, Seborrheic* ; Erythema ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Life Style ; Malassezia ; Prevalence ; Pruritus ; Recurrence ; Sebaceous Glands ; Sebum ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; United States ; Yeasts

Tinea versicolor (TV) is a common fungal skin disease caused by the Malassezia species. This disease usually presents as hypopigmented- or hyperpigmented coalescing scaly macules, papules, patches or plaques on the trunk and upper arms. Herein, we report a rare clinical manifestation of TV in a 29-year-old man presenting with marked follicular, erythematous, and hyperkeratotic papules on the trunk with erythematous scaly macules and patches on the upper extremities with intermittently spared skin. We initially suspected pityriasis rubra pilaris, however, skin biopsy results and mycological examination revealed TV. Polymerase chain reaction-based sequence analysis revealed Malassezia globosa. The patient was successfully treated with oral itraconazole and topical terbinafine.
Adult ; Arm ; Biopsy ; Dermatomycoses ; Humans ; Itraconazole ; Malassezia* ; Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris* ; Pityriasis* ; Sequence Analysis ; Skin ; Tinea Versicolor* ; Tinea* ; Upper Extremity

BACKGROUND: Malasseiza species are dimorphic and lipophilic fungi which are part of normal mycota of the human skin, and also associated with some skin diseases. In many skin diseases such as pityriasis versicolor, Malassezia folliculitis, seborrheic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, Malassezia yeasts may have a key role. OBJECTIVE: To investigate susceptibility of antifungal agent including itraconazole, fluconazole and terbinafine, we conducted in vitro susceptibility test revealing minimum inhibitory concentration of drugs for each Malassezia strains. METHODS: Malassezia restricta CBS7877, M. globosa CBS 7966, M. slooffiae KCTC 27517, M. sympodialis CBS 7222, M. pachydermatis CBS 1879 and M. furfur CBS 1878 were used in this experiment. The strains were grown in Leeming and Notman medium. MIC was determined using the method suggested by Sugita, et al. with modification. Malassezia cells were grown in each well and incubated for 2 days at 34℃, and MIC was determined by agar dilution method. RESULTS: Most Malasseiza strains of all Malassezia species were most sensitive to itraconazole, with MICs ranging from 0.015 to 0.06 µg/mL. MIC values of fluconazole and terbinafine against Malassezia species were higher and wider range than MIC of itraconazole. CONCLUSION: Itracozanole would be the first choice drug for treatment of Malassezia associated skin diseases. Isolation of pathologic species of Malassezia from various skin diseases in Korea would be fundamental research for the target therapy, and drug susceptibility test would be helpful for proper treatment.
Agar ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Dermatitis, Seborrheic ; Fluconazole* ; Folliculitis ; Fungi ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques* ; Itraconazole* ; Korea ; Malassezia* ; Methods ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Psoriasis ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Tinea Versicolor ; Yeasts

BACKGROUND: A new shampoo with anti-Malassezia properties obtained from various plants is required to provide seborrheic dermatitis patients with a wider range of treatment options. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to obtain in vitro susceptibility profiles of Malassezia restricta and M. globosa, the most important pathogenic organisms in the development of seborrheic dermatitis, to the plant extracts used in commercial anti-dandruff shampoos. METHODS: Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined for eight candidate plant extracts and two plant-derived natural products diluted with Leeming and Notman medium to final concentrations of 0.016 to 1 mg/ml. RESULTS: Castanea crenata shell, Camellia sinensis leaf, and oil-soluble Glycyrrhiza extracts presented relatively low MIC values (≤0.5 mg/ml) against both strains. The C. crenata shell and oil-soluble Glycyrrhiza extracts demonstrated especially high anti-Malassezia activity, suggesting their potential use in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis. The extracts also showed fungistatic activity against other common facultative pathogenic yeasts, Cryptococcus and Candida. CONCLUSION: C. crenata shell and oil-soluble Glycyrrhiza extracts could potentially be used as active ingredients in anti-seborrheic and anti-dandruff shampoo formulations. They could be helpful for repeated treatments and regular prophylaxis of scalp seborrheic dermatitis.
Biological Products ; Camellia sinensis ; Candida ; Cryptococcus ; Dermatitis, Seborrheic ; Glycyrrhiza* ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques* ; Malassezia ; Plant Extracts ; Scalp ; Yeasts

BACKGROUND: Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a multifactorial disease; Malassezia species play an important role in its pathogenesis. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine whether a cream containing climbazole/piroctone olamine (C/P cream), antifungal agents with expected efficacy against Malassezia species, could improve SD symptoms. METHODS: We instructed 24 patients with mild-to-moderate SD to apply the C/P cream and emollient cream on the right and left sides of the face, respectively, every morning and evening for 4 weeks. The casual sebum level (measured with Sebumeter®; Courage & Khazaka Electronic GmbH, Germany) and the extent of erythema (measured with Mexameter®; Courage & Khazaka Electronic GmbH) on the face were measured at baseline and after 4 weeks. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined to demonstrate the antifungal activity of the C/P cream. RESULTS: The casual sebum level and erythema were measured at week 4, and the median values demonstrated a quantitative improvement on the C/P cream-treated right side of the face compared to the emollient cream-treated left side. For the C/P cream, the MICs were 0.625, 5, 0.625, and 2.5 mg/ml for Malassezia restricta, M. globosa, M. sympodialis, and M. slooffiae, respectively. CONCLUSION: Based on the reduced casual sebum level and extent of erythema, the antifungal activity of C/P cream against Malassezia species seems useful for the treatment of mild to moderate SD.
Antifungal Agents ; Clinical Study* ; Courage ; Dermatitis, Seborrheic* ; Erythema ; Humans ; Malassezia ; Sebum

No abstract available.
Colon* ; Malassezia* ; Spores

PURPOSE: Even though Malassezia yeast may play an important role in the exacerbation of atopic dermatitis (AD), only a few studies of Malassezia infection have been conducted in children with AD. Thus, we compared each of clinical findings, including the severity of head and neck dermatitis and laboratory results depending on specific IgE against Malassezia furfur. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 121 children aged 3 months to 18 years between April and July of 2014. Retrospective data was collected using the medical records, and patients were divided into 2 groups according to the presence of Malassezia sensitization. RESULTS: Specific IgE against Malassezia (group 1) was observed in 28 of all patients (23.1%). Group 1 children were at an older age (9.1+/-6.9 vs. 2.1+/-3.7, P<0.001). Group 1 children had a higher SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index (46.4+/-21.0 ng/mL vs. 37.2+/-13.4 ng/mL, P=0.001), and total IgE (1,324.2+/-1,166.0 IU/mL vs. 209.5+/-532.5 IU/mL, P<0.001) compared to group 2 children (Malassezia-). In the group 1, the correlation between the Malassezia-specific IgE and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 was negatively weak (r=-0.106) and not statistically significant (P=0.246). Furthermore, Malassezia-specific IgE and the SCORAD index (r=0.281, P=0.002) or total IgE (r=0.380, P<0.001) were positively correlated. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that specific IgE against M. furfur may be helpful in assessing the severity of prepubertal children and early adolescents with AD involving the head and neck.
Adolescent ; Calcifediol ; Child* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dermatitis* ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Head* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E* ; Malassezia ; Medical Records ; Neck* ; Retrospective Studies ; Yeasts