Malassezia pachydermatis

Malassezia pachydermatis is a zoophilic yeast in the division Basidiomycota. It was first isolated in 1925 by Fred Weidman, and has been named pachydermatis Greek for "thick-skin" after the original sample taken from an Indian rhinoceros (Rhinocerosus unicornis) with severe exfoliative dermatitis.[2] Within the genus Malassezia, M. pachydermatis is most closely related to the species M. furfur.[3] A commensal fungus, it can be found within the microflora of healthy mammals such as humans, cats and dogs,[4][5] However, it is capable of acting as an opportunistic pathogen under special circumstances and has been seen to cause skin and ear infections, most often occurring in canines.[6][7]

Malassezia pachydermatis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Fungi
Division:
Basidiomycota
Class:
Exobasidiomycetes
Order:
Malasseziales
Family:
Malasseziaceae
Genus:
Malassezia
Species:
M. pachydermatis
Binomial name
Malassezia pachydermatis
(Weidman) C.W.Dodge (1935)[1]
Synonyms
  • Pityrosporum pachydermatis Weidman (1925)
  • Cryptococcus pachydermatis Nann (1934)
  • Pityrosporum canis Gustafson (1955)
  • Torulopsis pachydermatis Krassiln
  • Pityrosporum rhinocerosum Sabour

Description

Malassezia pachydermatis is a bottle-shaped,[2] non-lipid dependent lipophilic yeast in the genus Malassezia.[5] Colonies are cream or yellowish in colour, smooth to wrinkled and convex with a margin possessing a slightly lobed appearance.[5][8] Cells are ovoidal in shape and range in size from 3.0–6.5 x 2.5 μm.[5] Colonies grow via unipolar budding, and hyphae are rarely seen in culture.[8]

Optimal growth occurs at 30–37 °C (86–99 °F) with maturation occurring in five days.[9] It is the only species of Malassezia capable of growing without the presence of fatty acids.[5] Although it is not lipid-dependent, its growth is enhanced by the presence of lipids.[10] Its DNA is characterized by a 56% guanine-cytosine content.[11]

Pathogenicity

Within infected tissues, this yeast produces several enzymes such as proteinase, phospholipase, hyaluronidase and chondroitin-sulphatase.[4] Proteinase and phospholipase are also released in infections involving Candida albicans and have been found to contribute to its virulence by inducing pores into host cell membranes, which eventually lead to their loss of function.[4] For this reason it has been suggested that these enzymes may also serve a function in the pathogenicity of M. pachydermatis.[4] However, pathogenicity in this species has yet to be associated with any specific genotypic and phenotypic traits.[5]

Malassezia pachydermatis in its pathogenic form can be found colonizing a variety of animals such as rhinoceroses,[2] sea lions,[12] black bears[3] and domesticated cats.[13] It is however most commonly associated with canine ear and skin infections.[7][9][10]

Canine infection

Malessezia pachydermatis is an important pathogen in veterinary medicine.[14] It has been known to become pathogenic to its host causing otitis and seborrhoeic dermatitis.[4] First associated with canine otitis externa in 1955 by Benght A. Gustafson, this yeast has since become an important pathogen especially in the study of small animal medicine. Symptoms include excessive scratching, head shaking, odour, and reddish-brown waxy deposits within the ear canal.[3] Malassezia pachydermatis caused canine seborrhoeic dermatitis was first discovered by Dufait in 1975 and may be characterized by symptoms ranging from dandruff to scaly lesions. At infection sites sebaceous secretions are increased.[3] Differences to susceptibility can be seen across breeds for example, increased infection among the West Highland White Terrier has been attributed to a genetic abnormality.[3]

Low pH environments have been associated with antimicrobial activity and dogs have among the highest skin pH levels of any domesticated animal. Malassezia pachydermatis is most commonly isolated from areas of the skin and ears with higher pH levels. Therefore canine colonization may occur more readily due to the skins increased alkalinity.[14] Samples have been collected from the ears, skin, vagina, and anal sacs.[9] Canine infection often co-occurs with atopy and other allergic disorders.[13][15] In contrast, felines are rarely infected by M. pachydermatis but when Malassezia spp. dermatitis does occur, it is not typically associated with any other conditions.[13]

Human infection

Infections are relatively rare in humans, with some studies reporting only about 2% prevalence on individuals with dermatitis. In terms of non-infectious occurrence, the same study found it on less than 1% of healthy populations.[16] This yeast has been isolated from a number of areas of the human body such as the blood, lungs, eyes, ears, skin and genitals.[11] The number of human infections is not clear and it is possible that they are only transient, with humans (often pet owners) acting as carriers.[10] Infections are most often found on premature or IV-fed neonates as well as immunocompromised adults.[5][9] Premature or IV-fed neonates seem to be particularly susceptible to infection. These low-birthweight infants are routinely fed lipid solutions from arterial catheters but these lines may be colonised by M.pachydermatis, in turn causing bloodstream infections called fungemia. Initial exposure in these intensive care nurseries have been attributed to pet-owning health care workers who act as vectors for the fungus.[17]

Detection

Malassezia pachydermatis can be distinguished from other species in the genus by its ability to grow on Sabouraud agar.[8] Cotton ear swabs, adhesive tape methods, skin scrapings and biopsy can be used to collect samples that are analysed via microscopy or culturing techniques, however, under-diagnoses may occur due to an increase in the number of days culture may require to develop and discrepancies in laboratory techniques.[3]

While M. pachydermatis is routinely detected by swabbing of external areas of canine ears, its presence within the deeper portions of the ear canal is associated with infection.[3]

Treatment

Antifungal medications such as imidazole, nystatin and natamycin may be used to treat infections. The former functions by weakening the fungal cell wall, while the latter two disrupt permeability of the plasma membrane. In canine infection causing otitis externa the ear canal may be cleaned using an ear cleansing solution often paired with the removal of surrounding hair.[3]

Separation of biotypes as well as treatment has proven successful using killer yeast strains such as Pichia anomala.[15] In these studies by Coutinho et al., M. pachydermatis was isolated from canine skin swabs and otic secretions which were then exposed to toxin producing killer yeast strains that inhibited M. pachydermatis growth.[15]

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References
  1. Rippon, J.W. (1988). Medical Mycology (3rd ed.). Philadelphia: WB Saunders. p. 797.
  2. Guillot, Jacques; Gueho, Evelyn; Chermette, Rene (1995). "Confirmation of the nomenclatural status of Malassezia pachydermatis". Antonie van Leeuwenhoek. 67: 173–176. doi:10.1007/bf00871211. PMID 7771764.
  3. Akerstedt, J.; Vollset, I. (May 1996). "Malassezia pachydermatis with special reference to canine skin disease". British Veterinary Journal. 152 (3): 269–281. doi:10.1016/s0007-1935(96)80100-x. PMID 8762604.
  4. Coutinho, S.D.; Paula, C.R. (2000). "Proteinase, phospholipase, hyaluronidase and chondroitin-sulphatase production by Malassezia pachydermatis". Medical Mycology. 38: 73–76. doi:10.1080/714030882. PMID 10746230.
  5. (Edited by) Howard, Dexter H. (2003). Pathogenic Fungi in Humans and Animals. New York: Marcel Dekker. pp. 550–551. ISBN 0-8247-0683-8.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  6. Bond, R; Rose, J.F.; Ellis, J.W.; Lloyd, D.H. (1995). "Comparison of two shampoos for treatment of Malassezia pachydematis associated seborrhoeic dermatitis in basset hounds". Journal of Small Animal Practice. 36: 99–104. doi:10.1111/j.1748-5827.1995.tb02840.x. PMID 7783442.
  7. Bond, R; Saijonmaa-Koulumies, L.E.M.; Lloyd, D.H. (1995). "Population sizes and frequency of Malassezia pachydermatis at skin and mucosal sites on healthy dogs". Journal of Small Animal Practice. 36 (4): 147–150. doi:10.1111/j.1748-5827.1995.tb02865.x. PMID 7603055.
  8. Summerbell, Richard (2011). Identifying Fungi: A Clinical Laboratory Handbook (2nd ed.). Belmont, US: Star Publishing. pp. 168–169. ISBN 978-08986-3311-5.
  9. de Hoog, G.S. (2000). Atlas of Clinical Fungi. Spain: American Society for Microbiology. pp. 149–150. ISBN 9070351439.
  10. Morris, Daniel; O'Shea, Kathleen; Shofer, Frances S.; Rankin, Shelley (2005). "Malassezia pachydermatis carriage in dog owners". Emerging Infectious Diseases. 11 (1): 83–88. doi:10.3201/eid1101.040882. PMC 3294355. PMID 15705327.
  11. Gueho, E; Pruitt, W.R.; Meyer, S.A.; Ahearn, D.G. (1987). "Association of Malassezia pachydermatis with systemic infections of humans". Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 25 (9): 1789–1790. PMC 269333. PMID 3654952.
  12. Guillot, Jacques; Petit, T; Degorce-Rubiales, F; Gueho, E; Chermette R (21 March 1998). "Dermatitis caused by Malassezia pachydermatis in a California sea lion (Zalophus californianus)". The Veterinary Record. 142: 311–312. doi:10.1136/vr.142.12.311. PMID 9569500.
  13. Mauldin, Elizabeth A.; Morris, Daniel O.; Goldschmidt, Michael H. (2002). "Retrospective study: the presence of Malassezia in feline skin biopsies. A clinicopathological study". Veterinary Dermatology. 13: 7–14. doi:10.1046/j.0959-4493.2001.00279.x. PMID 11896965.
  14. Mason, Ian; Mason, Kenneth; Lloyd, David (September 1996). "A review of the biology of canine skin with respect to the commensals Staphylococcus intermedius, Demodex canis and Malassezia pachydermatis". Veterinary Dermatology. 7 (3): 119–132. doi:10.1111/j.1365-3164.1996.tb00237.x.
  15. Coutinho, Selene D.; Paula, Claudette R. (12 January 1998). "Biotyping of Malassezia pachydermatis strains using the killer system". Revista Iberoamericana de Micología. 15: 85–87. PMID 17655416.
  16. Nakabayashi, A; Sei, Y; Guillot, J (February 2000). "Identification of Malassezia species isolated from patients with seborrhoeic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, pityriasis versicolor and normal subjects". Medical Mycology. 38: 337–341. doi:10.1080/714030958. PMID 11092380.
  17. Chang, Huan J.; Miller, H; Watkins, N; Arduino, M; Ashford, D; et al. (12 March 1998). "An epidemic of Malassezia pachydermatis in an intensive care nursery associated with colonization of health care workers' pet dogs". The New England Journal of Medicine. 338: 706–711. doi:10.1056/NEJM199803123381102. PMID 9494146.
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