• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.319-328
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• 2023

Malassezia and Staphylococcus are the most dominant genera in human skin microbiome. To explore the inter-kingdom interactions between the two genera, we examined the transcriptional changes in Malassezia and Staphylococcus species induced upon co-culturing. RNA-seq analyses revealed that genes encoding ribosomal proteins were upregulated, while those encoding aspartyl proteases were downregulated in M. restricta after co-culturing with Staphylococcus species. We identified MRET_3770 as a major secretory aspartyl protease coding gene in M. restricta through pepstatin-A affinity chromatography followed by mass spectrometry and found that the expression of MRET_3770 was significantly repressed upon co-culturing with Staphylococcus species or by incubation in media with reduced pH. Moreover, biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus was inhibited in the spent medium of M. restricta, suggesting that biomolecules secreted by M. restricta such as secretory aspartyl proteases may degrade the biofilm structure. We also examined the transcriptional changes in S. aureus co-cultured with M. restricta and found co-cultured S. aureus showed increased expression of genes encoding ribosomal proteins and downregulation of those involved in riboflavin metabolism. These transcriptome data of co-cultured fungal and bacterial species demonstrate a dynamic interplay between the two co-existing genera.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 2009

Fifty seven species of common seaweed from the coast of Korea were screened for antifungal activity against Malassezia species. Seaweeds as a source of bioactive compounds are able to produce a great variety of secondary metabolites with different activities. There are numerous reports on the biological activities of seaweeds against human pathogens, fungi, and yeasts, but only few contain data regarding inhibitory effects against Malassezia sp., a major cause of dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. To help address this paucity of information, this work was carried out to examine the antifungal effects of seaweed extracts against M. furfur and M. restricta. Of the fifty seven species of marine algae screened for their potential antifungal activity, only 17 species (29.8%) exhibited inhibitory activity. In agar disc diffusion method, the ether extracts of Corallina pilulifera, Enteromorpha linza, Laminaria japonica, Symphyocladia latiuscula and Ulva sp. showed strong antifungal activity. To identify major constituents in seaweed extracts, four selected extracts were analyzed on' a GC-MS equipped with a flame ionization detector, and compared to spectral data from databases WILEY229.LIB and NIST107.LIB. Most constituents in seaweed extracts are fatty acid-related compounds. When we evaluated any acute toxicity, the ether extracts of the selected four species were not toxic in mice. According to these results, it can be suggested that these seaweed extracts are valuable for the development of therapeutic agents in treating dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. Further investigations to determine its bioactive compound(s) are currently in progress.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2006

This study investigated the prevalence of Malassezia pachydermatis (M. pachydermatis) in dogs which were presented with otitis externa at the Chonbuk area from January 2002 to December 2003. A total of 589 dogs were diagnosed with otitis externa among which 243 (37.6%) dogs were affected with M pachydermatis. In addition, the prevalence of mutual relationship between the M. pachydermatis infection and ages, seasonality, breeds and ear types in otitis externa was investigated. The highest prevalence of M. pachydermatis was observed in 1 to 2 years age group, this was not statistically significant in comparison to other age groups. In summer, the prevalence of M. pachydermatis was significantly (p<0.01) higher ($57.06{\pm}2.01$) as compared with than in the winter ($21.03{\pm}3.56$), spring ($36.4{\pm}6.95$) and fall ($35.9{\pm}6.24$). A significantly (p<0.01) higher prevalence of M. pachydermatis was observed in pendulous ear dogs (49.1%) as compared to that in the erect ear dogs (23.6%). These results suggest that M. pachydermatis, the dominant causative organism of ear canal disease, strongly depends upon the seasonality and ear types.

• The Journal of Natural Sciences
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.93-102
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• 2004

A yeast strain SL-27 found to produce active intracellular tyrosinase inhibitor was screened from 972 kinds of yeasts. It was identified as Malassezia pachydermatis based on microbiological characteristics. The optimum pH and temperature for the growth of Malassezia pachydermatis SL-27 were pH 7.0 and $37^{\circ}C$, respectively. The optimal culture conditions for the production of tyrosinase inhibitor by Malassezia pachydermatis SL-27 were investigated. The optimal medium cimposition for tyrosinase inhibitor production was determined to be 1.0% casamino acid, 2.0% glucose, 0.1% $KH_2PO_4$, 0.05% $MgSo_{4-}7H20$ and each 0.01 of $CaCl_2$ and NaCl. Optimal initial pH and temperature for the production of tyrosinase inhibitor were pH 5.0 and $30^{\circ}C$, respectively. The maximum tyrosinase inhibitory activity of 84%/mL of cell-free extract was showed after 12 h of cultivation under the optimal culturing conditions.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.141-147
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• 2012

This work describes the characteristics of $Malassezia$ $pachydermatis$ isolated from dog ear canals and the effect of essential oils on the growth of this organism. Sterile cotton swabs were used to collect specimens from the external ear canal and culture tests were performed to detect the population size of $Malassezia$ yeast. Using three different isolation media, included Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) to isolate common $M.$ $pachydermatis$, and SDA supplemented with olive oil (SDAO) and Leeming's medium (LM) to detect lipophilic yeast, $Malassezia$ spp were isolated from 14 of 18 dogs (77.8%); isolation rates were 33.3% in SDA, 72.2% in SDAO and 66.7% in LM media. All $Malassezia$ spp isolates were identified as $M.$ $pachydermatis$ according to results of PCR amplification, but gross colony morphology and SDA growth rates suggested four different subtypes. Large (LC) and medium colony (MC) types respectively describe large colony (diameter > 3 mm) and medium colony (around 2 mm) after 72 hour incubation, and small (SC) type refers to smaller colony (< 1 mm) even after 5 days incubation; lipid dependent colonies did not grow onto SDA. Large Colony type strains were isolated from 4, 11, and 11 samples, MC type strains from 2, 3 and 1 and SC type strains from 1, 2 and 1 in SDA, SDAO and LM, respectively. Lipid-dependent $M.$ $pachydermatis$ (Lipo) were isolated from 3 samples each in SDAO and LM. Anti-$M.$ $pachydermatis$ activity testing was done using disc-diffusion assays and well diffusion tests. Most essential oils inhibited the growth of $M.$ $pachydermatis$ in a range from 0.5% to 1.0% of essential oils. MIC90 and MIC50 were variable depending upon the nature of essential oils. Thyme oil was found to be highly effective in inhibiting the growth of $M.$ $pachydermatis$ in a range from 0.125% to 0.0625% while marjoram and then tea tree oil exhibited lower inhibitory capacity.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.184-188
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• 2010

Effect of the plant essential oils on the growth of Malassezia pachydermatis was evaluated and the essential oils of Ocimum basilicum L., Melaleuca alternifolia (Maid. & Bet.) Cheel, and Rosa damascene Mill. were the most active against M. pachydermatis and their activity were high than that of itraconazole at 2 mg/mL. The major constituents of the three oils by GC-MS analysis were linalool (21.83%) and estragole (74.29%) for O. basilicum, a-terpinolene (17.96%) and terpinen-4-01 (45.54%) for M. alternifolia, and a-citronellol (59.98%) and geraniol (27.58%) for R. damascene. Results showed that these selected three oils could be effective toward controlling M. pachydermatis opportunistic infections.

• Mycobiology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.142-146
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• 2005

To produce a novel antihypertensive angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor from yeast, a yeast isolate, designated G-14 showing the highest ACE inhibitory activity was obtained and identified as Malassezia pachydermatis based on morphological, biochemical and cultural characteristics. The maximal extracellular ACE inhibitor production was obtained from M. pachydermatis G-14 when the strain was cultured in YEPD medium containing 0.5% yeast extract, 3.0% peptone and 2.0% glucose at $30^{\circ}C$ for 24 h and the final ACE inhibitory activity was 48.9% under the above condition.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.439-444
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• 2005

A 7.1 kg, seven-year old, castrated male, Shih-Tzu with severe pruritus, chronic otitis externa and Malassezia infection was referred to Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of Chungnam National University. In local animal hospital, steroid therapy was used to treat uncontrollable pruritus, but the clinical signs were recurrent when steroid therapy was discontinued. On physical examination, generalized alopecia, erythema, papules, severe crust and diffuse lichenification were presented. Tape strip test of skin lesions revealed cocci and Malassezia infections. Based on the result of history, clinical signs and examination described above, canine atopic dermatitis with secondary superficial pyoderma and Malassezia dermatitis was diagnosed. Oral challenge with cyclosporine and antibiotics had good results in clinical signs. Clinical sign scores were evaluated by investigator with CADESI at 2weeks, 4weeks, 6weeks, 8weeks and 10weeks after cyclosporine administration. And in the result of comparing of allergen-specific IgE value, the level of allergen-specific IgE to general causative allergen after 10 weeks of cyclosporine therapy was higher than that before cyclosporine therapy.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.108-111
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• 1997

지방친화성 진균인 M. pachydermatis가 두 마리의 수캐에서 피부병의 원인균으로 증명되었다. 두 마리의 환축에서 흥반, 인설, 탈모 등이 여러 부위에서 발생하였으며, 광역항생물질과 코르티코스테로이드의 45일간 투여에 대해 아무런 임상적 반응을 나타내지 않았다. 발아를 나타내는 난원형 내지 원주형의 효모균이 KOH 및 PHOL 방법에 의해 환축의 피부병변으로부터 다수 증명되었고, 이들은 형태학적으로 M. pachydermatis와 일치하였다. 두 환축의 피부 병변부위 시료를 chloramphenicol을 첨가한 %37{\diamond}C$의 Saubouraud dextrose agar에 배양하면 이 진균이 반복하여 배양되었다. ketoconazole의 경구투여와 sulphur lime의 국소적용에는 치료반응을 잘 나타내었다.

• Mycobiology
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.124-128
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• 2012

Multiple treatment modalities, including topical and systemic corticosteroid and phototherapy, have been used in treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis. However, long-term corticosteroid therapy may have various adverse effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of bath therapy using green tea extracts for treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis. A total of four patients with atopic dermatitis were enrolled in this study. A Malassezia multiplex detection kit was used in performance of multiplex PCR on clinical isolates, which confirmed Malassezia sympodialis. Subjects underwent treatment with bath therapy using green tea extracts three times per wk for a period of 4 wk. Assessment using the scoring atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) index, the visual analogue scale for pruritus, and transepidermal water loss was performed weekly. Laboratory tests were performed before and after treatment. All patients showed marked improvement on the mean SCORAD and visual analogue scale, and a significant decrease in the mean values of serum eosinophil counts was observed after treatment. Bath therapy with green tea extract is an effective, safe, and nonsteroidal therapy for treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis associated with Malassezia sympodialis.