The frequency of Malassezia as a causative agent in folliculitis [Folikülitte etken olarak Malassezia sikli?i]

Objective: It has been known that Malassezia spp. can play role in different dermatologic diseases. The aim of this study is to detect identification of Malassezia spp. species in folliculitis patients. CopyrightMaterial and Methods: One hundred and three patients with folliculitis who attended Ege University Faculty of Medicine Dermatology and Venereology outpatient clinic between January 2010-November 2012 included in the study. The patients were diagnosed as Malassezia folliculitis based on direct microscopic examination and culture of the material taken from the lesion of folliculitis. Samples inoculated in Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) with sterile olive oil and modified Dixon agar. Catalase and esculin tests performed to isolated colonies and cultured in Tween-20, 40, 60, and Tween-80 mediums. Species were diagnosed by according to these tests and growth properties.Results: Of 103 patients, 40 (38.8%) female and 63 (61.2%) male. Three of the patients (12.9%), direct microscopic examination was negative but in culture was positive. In eighteen (17.4%) patients not only direct examination but also cultures were found positive. It was determined that in 9 (8.7%) patients, direct examination was positive but no cultural isolation found. 29.1% of the folliculitis patients Malassezia spp. was detected as a causative agent. In all of the cultures, Malassezia globosa was isolated.Conclusion: This is the first study about the frequency of Malassezia species in folliculitis in our region. In this study the only agent isolated is M. globosa. © 2014 by Türkiye Klinikleri.