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Vol. 99. Issue 10.
Pages 764-771 (December 2008)
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Vol. 99. Issue 10.
Pages 764-771 (December 2008)
Controversies in dermatology
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Pityriasis Versicolor and the Yeasts of Genus Malassezia
La Pitiriasis Versicolor y las Levaduras del Género Malassezia
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9133
V. Crespo-Erchigaa,
Corresponding author
vicente.crespo.sspa@juntadeandalucia.es

Correspondence: Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Regional Universitario Carlos Haya, Plaza del Hospital Civil, s/n, 29009 Málaga, Spain.
, E. Gómez-Moyanoa, M. Crespob
a Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Regional Universitario Carlos Haya, Málaga, Spain
b Graduate in Biological Sciences, Hospital Regional Universitario Carlos Haya, Málaga, Spain
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Article information
Abstract

Although pityriasis versicolor is the only human disease for which Malassezia yeasts have been fully established as pathogens, it is still not clear which species are implicated. Most studies carried out in recent years support our hypothesis —proposed in 1999— that Malassezia globosa is the predominant species in pityriasis versicolor lesions, at least in temperate climates. Confirmation of this hypothesis could help us understand the conditions, as yet unclear, that induce transformation of this yeast from the saprophytic form present in healthy skin to the parasitic form, characterized by the formation of pseudomycelium, and could also guide therapy. In addition, isolation of another species, Malassezia furfur, which seems to be predominant in the tropics, raises the possibility of a second etiologic agent confined to certain areas, as occurs with some other human mycoses.

Key words:
pityriasis versicolor
Malassezia species
Resumen

Aunque la pitiriasis versicolor (PV) es la única enfermedad humana en la que el rol etiológico de las levaduras Malassezia está plenamente establecido, permanece como objeto de controversia cuál (o cuáles) es la especie implicada. La mayoría de los estudios llevados a cabo en estos últimos años apoyan nuestra hipótesis, expuesta ya en 1999, indicando que M. globosa es la especie predominante en las lesiones de PV, al menos en los climas templados. La confirmación de esta hipótesis podría ayudar a comprender las condiciones, todavía poco claras, que inducen la transformación de esta levadura de su forma saprofita presente en la piel sana, a la parasitaria, caracterizada por la formación de pseudomicelio, y ayudarían también a establecer las mejores medidas terapéuticas. Por otro lado, el aislamiento de otra especie, M. furfur, que parece predominar en regiones tropicales, podría plantear la posibilidad de un segundo agente etiológico confinado a ciertas áreas geográficas, como acontece en algunas otras micosis humanas.

Palabras clave:
pitiriasis versicolor
Malassezia
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Copyright © 2008. Academia Española de Dermatología y Venereología and Elsevier España, S.L.
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