In vitro Susceptibility of the Six Malassezia Species to Itraconazole, Fluconazole and Terbinafine

Lee, Yangwon

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Malasseiza species are dimorphic and lipophilic fungi which are part of normal mycota of the human skin, and also associated with some skin diseases. In many skin diseases such as pityriasis versicolor, Malassezia folliculitis, seborrheic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, Malassezia yeasts may have a key role.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate susceptibility of antifungal agent including itraconazole, fluconazole and terbinafine, we conducted in vitro susceptibility test revealing minimum inhibitory concentration of drugs for each Malassezia strains.
METHODS
Malassezia restricta CBS7877, M. globosa CBS 7966, M. slooffiae KCTC 27517, M. sympodialis CBS 7222, M. pachydermatis CBS 1879 and M. furfur CBS 1878 were used in this experiment. The strains were grown in Leeming and Notman medium. MIC was determined using the method suggested by Sugita, et al. with modification. Malassezia cells were grown in each well and incubated for 2 days at 34â„ƒ, and MIC was determined by agar dilution method.
RESULTS
Most Malasseiza strains of all Malassezia species were most sensitive to itraconazole, with MICs ranging from 0.015 to 0.06 µg/mL. MIC values of fluconazole and terbinafine against Malassezia species were higher and wider range than MIC of itraconazole.
CONCLUSION
Itracozanole would be the first choice drug for treatment of Malassezia associated skin diseases. Isolation of pathologic species of Malassezia from various skin diseases in Korea would be fundamental research for the target therapy, and drug susceptibility test would be helpful for proper treatment.