Fungal Genomics & Biology
Open Access

Treatment and Diagnosis of Malassezia Yeast Infection

Faramarz Bozorgomid^{* *}Correspondence: Faramarz Bozorgomid, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Tabriz, Bahman Boulevard, Iran, Email:

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Description

Malassezia yeasts, formerly known as Pityrosporum yeasts, are lipophilic yeasts that are found in the typical skin flora (microbiome). Malassezia species can be found on the skin surfaces of many animals, including humans, in their natural state. Some species can produce hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation on the trunk and other parts of the body in humans following opportunistic infections. Morphology, ultrastructure, physiology, and molecular biology were used to revise the Malassezia genus. As a result, the genus has grown to encompass seven species: M. furfur, M. pachydermatis, and M. sympodialis, as well as four new taxa: M. globosa, M. obtusa, M. restricta, and M. slooffiae. Malassezia yeasts also have pathogenic potential, as they can invade the stratum corneum and interact with morphological features of the isolate combined with biochemical tests, molecular-based methods such as Polymerase Chain Reaction techniques, Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/ Ionization—Time Of Flight mass spectrometry, and the chemical imprint method Raman spectrometry. Skin diseases activated by Malassezia are typically cured with antifungal therapy and if there are accompanying inflammatory skin mechanisms this is frequently supplemented by anti-inflammatory therapy. Generally used antifungal medications are ketoconazole shampoo and oral fluconazole. Seborrhoeic dermatitis can also be treated with topical steroids. The main purpose of the antifungal treatment is to diminish skin colonization thereby decreasing the amount of allergen activating the type I hypersensitivity. Systemic antifungals are beneficial in severe cases or when treatment fails after topical therapy. Peoples with head and neck dermatitis may have a reaction to Malassezia flora fueling their ailment. Although there are no documented modifications in Malassezia species colonization, individuals with head and neck atopic dermatitis are more likely to have positive the host immune system, both directly but also through chemical mediators. Varied Malassezia-related disorders, such as head and neck dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, pityriasis Versicolor, and Malassezia folliculitis, have different species distribution on the skin and pathogenetic potential of the yeast. A direct microscopy, culture-based procedures (typically a combination of skin prick test findings and Malassezia-specific IgE compared to healthy control individuals and patients with atopy without head and neck dermatitis) are among the diagnostic methods used to confirm the presence of Malassezia yeasts. The reaction to Malassezia is likely connected to both humoral- and cell-mediate immunity. Clinically, Malassezia allergy may be suspected in individuals with atopic dermatitis and: (1) head and neck lesions; (2) exacerbations during adolescence or young adulthood; (3) severe lesions recalcitrant to conventional therapy; and (4) other atopic ailments. Tape stripping, skin scraping, swabs, and contact plates are some of the sample procedures that have been used to establish the presence of Malassezia yeasts in skin disorders. Fungal infections on the skin are very prevalent. Before starting systemic antifungal treatment, it's critical to confirm the clinical diagnosis with mycological laboratory tests, especially because antifungal sensitivity and in vitro susceptibility differ between genera and species. For many years, direct fungal detection in the clinical specimen (microscopy) supplemented by culturing has been the gold standard for diagnosing superficial fungal infections. Newer molecular-based fungus detection approaches have recently been developed.