Relation of Malassezia species with atopic dermatitis patients in 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. Pa ent 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 examina on 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 sabouraudsَ dextrose agar with and without olive oil. Results revealed that Malassezia obtusa
had the high percentage overall Malassezia spp. with atopic derma s pa ents (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 pa ents revealed atopic
dermatitis. From these findings it was suggested that M. obtusa reported a high percentage overall
Malassezia spp. with atopic dermatitis patients.