• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.130-135
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• 2010

Malassezia (M.) is a member of normal mycobiota in warm-blooded vertebrates. Increased humidity is likely to be crucial in this infection. We studied the proportion of the species infected in dog during summer of Korea. Fifty samples were analyzed by PCR-RFLP and direct sequencing from June 2006 to October 2006. The study showed that lipid-dependent species was main pathogen (M. furfur; 86%, M. obtusa; 10%) while M. pachydermatis (4%) has only small portion. This result suggests that Malassezia infection has endemic characters that can be affected by the climate (temperature and humidity) in dogs.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.130-139
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• 1996

Malassezia pachydercatis균은 개 외이염의 주된 원인균으로 알려져 있으나, 그 감염률은 지역에 따라 많은 차이가 있다. 그러나 그 기병론적인 역할에 대해서는 아직 명확히 밝혀지지 않았다. 이에 본문에서는 국내에서 사육되는 개의 외이염에서 Malassezia pachydercatis 균의 분리율을 조사하고, Malassezia pachydercatis에 대한 혈중 항체와 외이염과의 연관성을 밝혀 Malassezia pachydercatis에 의한 외이염 진단을 위한 도구로서 간접 ELISA 법의 유용성을 평가해 보고자 본 연구를 수행하였다. 총 112두 중, 외이염에 감염된 개 44두와 정상견 68두를 대상으로, 심부외이도에서 취한 가검물을 배양검사하였고, Malassezia pachydercatis 항원에 대한 혈청내 IgG와 IgM 역가를 간접 ELISA법에 의해 측정하였다. 살아있는 Malassezia pachydercatis 균을 3두의 정상견 외이도에 접종하여 Malassezia pachydercatis 균의 실험적 감염에 대한 조직병리학적 소견, 조직내 침투 정도, 그리고 접종 후 시간경과에 따른 IgG와 IgM의 혈중 역가변화를 측정하였다. Malassezia pachydercatis 균은 외이염이 있는 개 귀에서 가장 높게 분리(50.0%)되었고, 정상귀에서는 낮게 분리(6.3%)되었다. Malassezia pachydercatis 항원을 이용한 간접 ELISA 법 진단에서, Malassezia pachydercatis 양성배양인 외이염 개체에서 IgG와 IgM에 대한 민감도는 각각 41.7%, 20.8%이었고 특이도는 88.2%, 85.2% 이었다. 실험적으로 Malassezia pachydercatis 를 접종한 3두중 1두에서만 조직병리학적 변화와 모낭에 Malassezia pachydercatis 균체가 확인되었으며, IgG와 IgM 혈중역가도 유의성 있게 증가하였다. 국내에서 사육되는 개 외이염의 주된 원인균은 Malassezia pachydercatis 균이었고 이 균의 혈중항체는 유의성 있게 증가하였으며(p<0.005), 간접 ELISA법은 Malassezia pachydercatis 에 의한 개외이염의 유용한 진단도구임을 증명하였다.

• Journal of Mycology and Infection
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.111-114
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• 2018

A 19-year-old woman presented with an asymptomatic cutaneous discoloration on her nape. Dermatological examination revealed localized dark brown to dark pigmented velvety macules and patches. She denied a past medical history, except for a 7-kg weight gain over a 6-months period. Histopathologically, the specimen showed hyperkeratosis, epidermal hyperplasia, mild acanthosis, and papillomatosis. In addition, keratin material and fungal spore were noted between the papilloma ridges. Periodic acid-Schiff special stain showed a positive result for the fungal spore in the horny layer. She was treated with a daily oral dose of terbinafine and topical flutrimazole. After 12 weeks of treatment, she is currently under observation without pigmentation and adverse effect. We considered the initial diagnosis as acanthosis nigricans because of weight gain, similar clinical features, and histological findings. However, the final diagnosis was hyperkeratotic head and neck Malassezia dermatosis considering the presence of yeast and the dramatic improvement after antifungal treatment. To the best of our knowledge, hyperkeratotic head and neck Malassezia dermatosis is not well characterized in the literature. It is an unusual variant of pityriasis versicolor. The skin lesion appears brown to dark, scaly, and hyperkeratotic macules and patches located on the face and neck. Here, we reported an unusual case of hyperkeratotic head and neck Malassezia dermatosis.

• Journal of Mycology and Infection
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.91-98
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• 2018

Background: Malassezia, a lipophilic yeast, is a causative agent for dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. Many biological agents have been studied for anti-Malassezia effect but further studies are needed for their clinical application. Objective: The study was conducted to evaluate the inhibitory effect of different natural essential oils and a fruit extract on Malassezia species in an in vitro study and a clinical trial. Methods: The antifungal effects of natural essential oils and a fruit extract on Malassezia species (M. furfur and M. sympodialis) were evaluated by measuring the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) and using the disc diffusion method. Natural essential oils of citron seed, lavender, and rosemary and citrus junos fruit extract were used for the in vitro study. The clinical trial was conducted with a shampoo containing four ingredients. A total of 22 subjects used the shampoo every day for 4 weeks and were evaluated using clinical photography, trichoscopy, and sebumeter at baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks after treatment. Results: Antifungal activity of agents was relatively lower in lavender and rosemary essential oils at MIC and MFC. Disc diffusion method revealed same results. In the clinical trial, the amount of sebum decreased statistically significantly and erythema, dandruff, and lesion extent also improved. Conclusion: The natural essential oils and fruit extract are effective for suppressing Malassezia activity, therefore these might be used as an alternative for treatment of dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis.

• 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.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.315-321
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• 2010

Malassezia furfur is an important causal factor for seborrheic dermatitis. Nowadays, the drugs available to treat this fungal infection are few. Several studies have documented the biological activity of essential oils. However, its antifungal properties are not completely understood, especially its anti-Malassezia activity. The aim of this study were to evaluate the effect of the plant essential oils on the growth of M. furfur using disk diffusion method and analyze by Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) most active essential oils. In first screening, the 17 plant essential oils have possesses inhibitory activity against M. furfur at 2 mg/mL. Among the plant essential oils, oil of Citrus auranifoli was most active against M. furfur and its activity showed dose dependency. This anti-malassezial activity was high than that of itraconazole at 2 mg/mL. Oil of Citrus auranifolia also was phytochemically examined by GC-MS analysis, its main constituents were identified as limonene, ${\gamma}$-terpinene and terpinolene. It can be concluded that essential oils of Citrus auranifolia may have interesting applications to control fungal-derived diseases.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.566-574
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• 1999

This study was conducted to examine the outbreak rate and the causative agents of otitis externa in 26 dogs (49 ears ; 23 dogs = bilateral, 3 dogs = unilateral), and the normal microfloras of external ear canal in 68 dogs(133 ears ; 65 dogs = bilateral, 3 dogs = unilateral ) in Taegu, 1997. The breed, living environment, sex, age and season distribution of otitic dogs were as follows : Dogs with erect and hairy ears(42.3%), pendulous and hairy ears(38.5%), indoor(92.3%), female(65.4%) and below one year old(38.5%) were more prevalent. According to season, otitis externa was mainly occurred between July and October. The major causative agents of canine otitis externa were Malassezia pachydermatis (32.7%), Staphylococcus aureus (26.5%) and S intermedius (16.3%). In the microorganism isolated 39 otitic ear canals, single infection was 53.8% and mixed infection was 46.2%. The normal microfloras of canine external ear canal were fungi including M pachydermatis, Aspergillus spp, Microsporum canis, Alternaria spp, Verticillium spp and Yeast, and bacteria including Staphylococcus spp(10 species including S xylosus), Bacillus spp, Corynebacterium spp, Listeria spp, Actinomyces pyogenes and Escherichia coli. No growth was 34.6%.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.323-327
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• 2012

The effect of pH of chitosan solution (w/v) on antifungal activity against Malassezia pachydermatis isolated from a dog with otitis externa was evaluated. This study was investigated to find out the optimal pH of chitosan solution that could be able to eliminate yeast cells. For comparison of antifungal activity of chitosan solution 2% chlorhexidine that have been already proved the antifungal effect against M. pachydermatis was used as positive control. The chitosan solution at different pH (2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0) were involved this experiment. The chitosan solutions at each pH could eliminate a number of yeast cells when they were compared to other antifungal agents. In chitosan solution's antifungal effect of varying degrees according to the pH M. pachydermatis was inhibited at pH of < 5.0. Especially it has been proved an effective antifungal effect at pH 3.5. Therefore, the pH of chitosan solution had a effect on antifungal activity and the optimal pH was 3.5 in vitro. The possibility of topical therapy with acidific solution of chitosan has a potential in skin infection against M. pachydermatis.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.7
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• pp.636-642
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• 2007

Purpose : Fluconazole prophylaxis for very low birth weight (VLBW) infants has been shown to reduce invasive fungal infection and its mortality. This study aims to evaluate the effect of fluconazole prophylaxis in VLBW infants on the incidence and mortality of fungal infection. Methods : VLBW infants with endotracheal intubation and central vascular access admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Chonnam University Hospital were enrolled. Twenty eight infants of 7-month baseline period from January to July 2005 ('non-fluconazole group') were compared with 29 infants of a 7-month fluconazole period from January to July 2006 ('fluconazole group'). Results : Gestational age, birth weight, sex, mode of delivery, frequency of twin pregnancy, chorioamnionitis, antenatal steroid and rupture of membranes were similar between the fluconazole and non-fluconazole groups. The rate of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants, frequency and duration of prophylactic antibiotics, total parenteral nutrition and umbilical catheters, duration of intralipid, mechanical ventilation and nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) were also not significant. However, frequency of percutaneous central venous catheterization (PCVC) and intralipid administration, and duration of PCVC were significant between the two groups. The overall incidence and mortality of fungal infection were not different between the two groups. Although the Malassezia infection was increased in the fluconazole group (P<0.05), candida was significantly decreased compared to the non-fluconazole group (P<0.05). Conclusion : Fluconazole prophylaxis in high risk VLBW infants decreased the candida infection significantly. Antifungal prophylaxis is recommended in terms of cost effectiveness, but further study is needed to clarify the reason for the increase of Malassezia infection.