Identification of Malassezia Species Isolated from Patients with Pityriasis Versicolor Using PCR-RFLP Method in Markazi Province, Central Iran

Background: The lipophilic yeasts of Malassezia species are members of the normal skin microbial that are cause of pityriasis versicolor. Pityriasis versicolor is a common superficial fungal infection with world-wide distribution. The phenotypic methods for identification of Malassezia species usually are time consuming and unreliable to differentiate newly identified species. But DNA-based techniques rapidly and accurately identified Malassezia species. The purpose of this study was isolation and identification of Malassezia Species from patients with pityriasis versicolor by molecular methods in Markazi Province, Central Iran in 2012.

Methods: Mycologic examinations including direct microscopy and culture were performed on clinical samples. DNA extraction was performed from colonies. The ITS1 region of rDNA from isolates of Malassezia species were amplified by PCR reaction. The PCR were digested by Cfo I enzyme.

Results: From 70 skin samples, were microscopically positive for Malassezia elements, 60 samples were grown on culture medium (85.7%). Using PCR-RFLP method, that was performed on 60 isolates, 37(61.6%) M. globosa, 14(23.3%) M. furfur, 5(8.4%) M. sympodialis and 4(6.7%) M. restrictawere identified. In one case was isolated M. globosa along with M. restricta.

Conclusion: The PCR-RFLP method is a useful and reliable technique for identification of differentiation of Malas-sezia species.