Ann Dermatol.  2011 Aug;23(3):321-328. 10.5021/ad.2011.23.3.321.

Epidemiologic Study of Malassezia Yeasts in Acne Patients by Analysis of 26S rDNA PCR-RFLP

• Song YC
• Hahn HJ
• Kim JY
• Ko JH
• Lee YW
• Choe YB
• Ahn KJ

• KMID: 2171923
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2011.23.3.321

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Although acne is a common follicular inflammatory dermatosis, studies of the relationship between Malassezia yeasts and acne have rarely been conducted.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to identify Malassezia yeasts from acne patients and establish a relationship between specific types of species of Malassezia and acne.
METHODS
Sixty acne patients were enrolled. Each strain obtained was identified as one of eleven species by 26S rDNA PCR-RFLP. We then compared these data with those of age- and sex-matched healthy subjects.
RESULTS
Growth of Malassezia was evident in fewer patients with acne (50%) in comparison to controls (70.6%). M. restricta was dominant in patients with acne (23.9%), whereas M. globosa was most common (26.7%) in healthy controls. In the patients group, the rate was the highest (71.7%) in the twenties and, in terms of body site, the rate was the highest (60%) in the chest. In the control group, the rate was the highest (75.0%) in the thirties and in the forehead (85.0%).
CONCLUSION
The detection rate of Malassezia yeasts was conspicuously low in the acne patients group. Statistically significant differences were observed between the patient and the control groups in the twenties and thirties, and in terms of body site, in the forehead and chest.

Keyword

Acne; Malassezia; 26S rDNA PCR-RFLP

MeSH Terms

Acne Vulgaris
DNA, Ribosomal
Epidemiologic Studies
Forehead
Humans
Malassezia
Skin Diseases
Sprains and Strains
Thorax
Yeasts
DNA, Ribosomal

Figure

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  Fig. 1 PCR-RFLP patterns of 26S rDNA PCR digested with Hha I (A), and BstF51 (B) of 11 Malassezia standard strains. Lanes: M, molecular marker; 1. M. furfur (KCTC 7743); 2. M. sympodialis (KCTC 7985); 3. M. globosa (CBS 7966); 4. M. restricta (KCTC 7848); 5. M. slooffiae (KCTC 17431); 6. M. pachydermatis (KCTC 17008); 7. M. japonica (CBS 9432); 8. M. nana (JCM 12085); 9. M. dermatis (JCM 11348); 10. M. obtusa (KCTC 7847); 11. M. yamatoensis (CBS 9725).

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  Fig. 2 Identified Malassezia species from the acne group, compared by age with those from the healthy control group.

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  Fig. 3 Identified Malassezia species from the acne group compared by body site with those from the healthy control group.

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