Clinical and epidemiological aspects and modern approaches to the treatment of pityriasis versicolor

Abstract

Pityriasis versicolor (tinea versicolor) lichen (PVL) is a fungal infection of the stratum corneum of the epidermis caused by the yeast-like fungus Malassezia (Pityrosporum), which is part of the normal microbiome of the skin. Malassezia yeast has a conditionally pathogenic potential, penetrating into the stratum corneum and causing the appearance of multicolored spots on the skin. Malassezia fungi are involved in the pathogenesis of head and neck dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis and folliculitis. PVL occurs in both tropical and temperate climates and affects both sexes equally. There are no systematic data on the prevalence of this disease in the world, but it is known that in tropical climates, PVL is more common (up to 40% in Brazil) than in temperate zones (<1% in Sweden). In Russia, there are also no general epidemiological data on the prevalence of PVL in the available literature. In the Krasnodar Territory in 2022-2024, among patients who turned to a dermatovenerologist for skin peeling accompanied by itching, 28% were diagnosed with PVL. The disease is considered non-contagious and is treated with topical antifungal drugs. In severe cases, the use of systemic antimycotics is indicated, which reduces the duration of the treatment and prevents relapses of the disease. The review provides data on the pathogenesis and prevalence of the disease, as well as modern approaches to PVL therapy.