Malassezia furfur Infections

Malassezia furfur , previously known as Pityrosporum obiculare , is a lipophilic saprophytic yeast that preferentially colonizes the skin of the scalp, chest, and back. Three clinical syndromes have been associated with M furfur infections: intravenous line sepsis associated with lipid infusions; folliculitis, most often in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and less commonly in steroid-treated patients with diabetes mellitus; and tinea versicolor, a superficial dermatosis seen in healthy young adults. Most cases of M furfur seen in the hospital are AIDS patients with folliculitis and intravenous line sepsis in neonates receiving lipid emulsions. The genus Malassezia consists of two saprophytic yeast-like organisms: M furfur and Malassezia pachydermatitis . M furfur , predominantly a yeast, is a fastidiously lipophylic member of the normal skin flora in 90% of humans. It is present as filamentous structures in the skin where the organism is associated with tinea versicolor and folliculitis. M pachydermatitis is a yeast most often associated with dogs, where it has been reported to cause otitis externa. Recent reports have implicated this organism in human infections as well.