Distribution of Malassezia Species on the Scalp in Korean Seborrheic Dermatitis Patients

• Published in: Annals of dermatology Vol. 23; no. 2; pp. 156 - 161
• Main Authors: Yang Won Lee, Hee Jin Byun, Beom Joon Kim, Dong Ha Kim, Yun Young Lim, Jin Woong Lee, Myeung Nam Kim, Dong Hak Kim, Young Jin Chun, Seog Kyun Mun, Chan Woong Kim, Sung Eun Kim, Jae Sung Hwang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 대한피부과학회 30.05.2011
• Subjects: 26S rDNA PCR-RFLP; Malassezia; Seborrheic dermatitis
• ISSN: 1013-9087; 2005-3894

Background: Malassezia species play an important role in the pathogenesis of seborrheic dermatitis. In particular, M. restricta and M. globosa are considered to be the predominant organisms in seborrheic dermatitis of Western countries. However, species distribution of Malassezia in seborrheic dermatitis has not been clearly determined yet in Asia. Objective: To identify the distribution of Malassezia species on the scalp of seborrheic dermatitis patients in Korea using 26S rDNA PCR-RFLP analysis. Methods: A total of 40 seborrheic dermatitis patients and 100 normal healthy volunteers were included in this study. For the identification of Malassezia species, the scalp scales of the subjects were analyzed by 26S rDNA PCR-RFLP analysis. Results: The most commonly identified Malassezia species were M. restricta in the seborrheic dermatitis patients, and M. globosa in the normal controls. In the seborrheic dermatitis group, M. restricta was identified in 47.5%, M. globosa in 27.5%, M. furfur in 7.5%, and M. sympodialis in 2.5% of patients. In the healthy control group, M. globosa was identified in 32.0%, M. restricta in 25.0%, M. furfur in 8.0%, M. obtusa in 6.0%, M. slooffiae in 6.0%, and M. sympodialis in 4.0% of subjects. Conclusion: M. restricta is considered to be the most im portant Malassezia species in Korean seborrheic dermatitis patients. (Ann Dermatol 23(2) 156∼161, 2011)