THE CARRIAGE OF MALASSEZIA-FURFUR SEROVARS-A, SEROVARS-B AND SEROVARSC IN PATIENTS WITH PITYRIASIS-VERSICOLOR, SEBORRHEIC DERMATITIS AND CONTROLS

The aetiological role of Malassezia furfur in various dermatoses is co ntroversial. The role of the three serovars of M. furfur in Malassezia -associated diseases has not been investigated. This study measured po pulation densities of M. furfur serovars A, B and C, propionibacteria and Micrococcaceae on the chest, back, forehead, left and right cheeks of 10 patients with pityriasis versicolor, and 10 age- and sex-matche d controls; and 10 patients with seborrhoeic dermatitis. and 10 age- a nd sex-matched controls. The population densities of M. furfur, propio nibacteria and Micrococcaceae did not vary at a given site between pat ients and the corresponding control subjects. Malassezia furfur serova r A was found to be the predominant isolate on the chest and back of a ll four groups. but there was no difference in the distribution of ser ovars on the forehead and cheeks. No serovar was specifically associat ed with lesional skin in either disease. Thus, this data indicated tha t there was no difference in either the total population density of M. furfur or the distribution of serovars on lesional skin compared with control skin in either pityriasis versicolor or seborrhoeic dermatiti s.