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Logo of annaldermaAnnals of DermatologyThis ArticleInformation for AuthorsOnline Submission
 
Ann Dermatol. 2010 February; 22(1): 41–47.
Published online 2010 February 28. doi:  10.5021/ad.2010.22.1.41
PMCID: PMC2883395
Copyright © 2010 Korean Dermatological Association and The Korean Society for Investigative Dermatology
Molecular Analysis of Malassezia Microflora on the Skin of the Patients with Atopic Dermatitis
Seon Mi Yim, M.D.,1 Ji Young Kim, M.D.,1 Jong Hyun Ko, M.D.,1 Yang Won Lee, M.D.,1,2 Yong Beom Choe, M.D.,1,2 and Kyu Joong Ahn, M.D.corresponding author1,2
1Department of Dermatology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
2Department of Dermatology, Konkuk University Research Institute of Medical Science, Seoul, Korea.
corresponding authorCorresponding author.
Reprint request to: Kyu Joong Ahn, M.D., Department of Dermatology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Konkuk University Research Institute of Medical Science, 4-12, Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 143-729, Korea. Tel: 82-2-2030-5170, Fax: 82-2-2030-5179, kjahn/at/kuh.ac.kr
Received November 11, 2009; Revised November 26, 2009; Accepted December 10, 2009.
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Abstract
Background
The yeasts of the genus Malassezia are members of the normal flora on human skin and they are found in 75~80% of healthy adults. Since its association with various skin disorders have been known, there have been a growing number of reports that have implicated Malassezia yeast in atopic dermatitis (AD).
Objective
The aim of the present study is to isolate the various Malassezia species from AD patients by using 26S rDNA (ribosomal Deoxyribonucleic acid) PCR-RFLP and to investigate the relationship between a positive Malassezia culture and the severity of AD.
Methods
Cultures for Malassezia yeasts were taken from the scalp, cheek, chest, arm and thigh of 60 patients with atopic dermatitis. We used a rapid and accurate molecular biological method 26S rDNA PCR-RFLP, and this method can overcome the limits of the morphological and biochemical methods.
Results
Positive Malassezia growth was noted on 51.7% of the patients with atopic dermatitis by 26S rDNA PCR-RFLP analysis. The overall dominant species was M. sympodialis (16.3%). M. restricta was the most common species on the scalp (30.0%) and cheek (16.7%). M. sympodialis (28.3%) was the most common species on the chest. The positive culture rate was the highest for the 11~20 age group (59.0%) and the scalp showed the highest rate at 66.7%. There was no significant relationship between the Malassezia species and SCORing for Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD).
Conclusion
The fact that the cultured species was different for the atopic dermatitis lesion skin from that of the normal skin may be due to the disrupted skin barrier function and sensitization of the organism induced by scratching in the AD lesion-skin. But there was no relationship between the Malassezia type and the severity score. The severity score is thought to depend not on the type, but also on the quantity of the yeast.
Keywords: 26S rDNA PCR-RFLP, Atopic dermatitis, Malassezia
Articles from Annals of Dermatology are provided here courtesy of
Korean Dermatological Association and Korean Society for Investigative Dermatology