Molecular Characterization of Malassezia furfur isolated from patients with pityriasis versicolor compared to healthy control in Baghdad, Iraq

Abstract

Background: Humans skin, is the largest organ of the integumentary system, it has multiple layers of ectodermal tissue and guards the underlying muscles, bones, ligaments and internal organs. Pityriasis versicolor is the prototypical skin disease etiologically connected to Malassezia species. Malassezia furfur is the primary causative agent of pityriasis versicolor which causes either hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation of the skin.
Objective: To identify of Malassezia furfur associated with pityriasis versicolor patients and healthy control by using molecular detection methods.
Material and Methods: Sixty patients suffering from pityriasis versicolor disease who attended Medical Imammaine Kadhmain City from beginning of 1st December 2013 to the 30th of April 2014. Clinical diagnoses were done by consultant dermatologist. Forty were males and twenty were females with a mean age of (28.63 ± 11.83) years old. Control group includes skin swabs collected from 120 healthy volunteers, with ages ranging from 1 to 70 years with a mean of (30.03 ± 14.58 years). Both groups were investigated for M. furfur using phenotypic and molecular characterization.
Results: According to the gender, pityriasis versicolor was more infection in males than females with (68.3%). Malassezia furfur had a high percentage with male of pityriasis versicolor patients and healthy volunteers (65.0% and 73.1%, respectively). According to the site of lesions, Malassezia furfur was most isolated from chest site with percentage (35.0%) while in healthy volunteers, Upper limbs and chest were most site lesions associated with M. furfur with a percentage (23.1%).
Conclusions: It was concluded that pityriasis versicolor was more common in male than female. Also the chest site was most the lesions associated with Malassezia furfur in pityriasis versicolor patients.