Relation of Malassezia species with atopic dermatitis patients in Baghdad

  • Azhar A.F. Al-Attraqhchi, Abbas M.M. Al-Ammari, Mona Al-Jibouri
Keywords: Malassezia spp., Identification, Atopic dermatitis, Patient gender, Baghdad

Abstract

     Malassezia spp. are lipophilic unipolar yeasts recognized as commensals of skin that may be pathogenic under certain conditions. Yeasts of the genus Malassezia are known to be members of the skin micro flora of human and other warm-blooded vertebrates. Malassezia spp. are suspected to be involved in the development of skin lesions in atopic dermatitis (AD) when the response of adult AD to anti-inflammatory treatments is poor. Nineteen patients with atopic dermatitis were included in this study, who attended Al-Kadhumyia teaching hospital, Dermatology department, from the 30th of October 2010 to the 1st of April 2011. Patient included were twelve (12) males and seven (7) females, with the mean age of 25.72±14.65 years (ranging between 3months to 20 years old). The diagnosis was established by clinical examination done by consultant dermatologist. Control included 24 apparently healthy individuals were randomly selected from entities, primary and secondary schools in Al-Aubaidi city (14 males and 10 females) with a mean age of 26.83±15.68 years (ranging between 1-20 years old). Both groups were investigated for Malassezia spp., cultivation and identification of Malassezia spp. included sabouraudَs dextrose agar with and without olive oil. Results revealed that Malassezia obtusa had the high percentage overall Malassezia spp. with atopic dermatitis patients (15.80%). According to gender, males had the higher infection rate than females. Atopic dermatitis patients with age group of (<10) years had a high percentage among others (73.30%), dry skinned patients revealed atopic dermatitis. From these findings it was suggested that M. obtusa reported a high percentage overall Malassezia spp. with atopic dermatitis patients.

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Published
2013-12-30
Section
Research Paper