Malassezia furfurInfections

Abstract

Malassezia furfur, previously known asPityrosporum obiculare, is a lipophilic saprophytic yeast that preferentially colonizes the skin of the scalp, chest, and back. Three clinical syndromes have been associated withM furfurinfections: intravenous line sepsis associated with lipid infusions; folliculitis, most often in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and less commonly in steroid-treated patients with diabetes mellitus; and tinea versicolor, a superficial dermatosis seen in healthy young adults. Most cases ofM furfurseen in the hospital are AIDS patients with folliculitis and intravenous line sepsis in neonates receiving lipid emulsions.ThegenusMalasseziaconsists of two saprophytic yeast-like organisms:M furfurandMalassezia pachydermatitis.M furfur, predominantly a yeast, is a fastidiously lipophylic member of the normal skin flora in 90% of humans. It is present as filamentous structures in the skin where the organism is associated with tinea versicolor and folliculitis.M pachydermatitisis a yeast most often associated with dogs, where it has been reported to cause otitis externa. Recent reports have implicated this organism in human infections as well.