Malassezia Intra-Specific Diversity and Potentially New Species in the Skin Microbiota from Brazilian Healthy Subjects and Seborrheic Dermatitis Patients

Author(s)

Soares, Renan Cardoso ^[1] ; Zani, Marcelo Bergamin ^[1] ; Belini Bazan Arruda, Ana Carolina ^[2] ; Favaro de Arruda, Lucia Helena ^[2] ; Paulino, Luciana Campos ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed ABC, Ctr Ciencias Nat & Humanas, Santo Andre, SP - Brazil

^[2] Hosp & Maternidade Celso Pierro, Campinas, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLoS One; v. 10, n. 2 FEB 19 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 13

Abstract

Malassezia yeasts are part of the resident cutaneous microbiota, and are also associated with skin diseases such as seborrheic dermatitis (SD). The role these fungi play in skin diseases and why they are pathogenic for only some individuals remain unclear. This study aimed to characterize Malassezia microbiota from different body sites in healthy and SD subjects from Brazil. Scalp and forehead samples from healthy, mild SD and severe SD subjects were collected. Non-scalp lesions from severe SD patients were also sampled. 5.8S rDNA/ITS2 amplicons from Malassezia sp. were analyzed by RFLP and sequencing. Results indicate that Malassezia microbiota did not group according to health condition or body area. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that three groups of sequences did not cluster together with any formally described species, suggesting that they might belong to potential new species. One of them was found in high proportions in scalp samples. A large variety of Malassezia subtypes were detected, indicating intra-specific diversity. Higher Malassezia globosa proportions were found in non-scalp lesions from severe SD subjects compared with other areas, suggesting closer association of this species with SD lesions from areas other than scalp. Our results show the first panorama of Malassezia microbiota in Brazilian subjects using molecular techniques and provide new perspectives for further studies to elucidate the association between Malassezia microbiota and skin diseases. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 08/08183-9 - Molecular analysis of skin microbiota from healthy subjects and patients with dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis
• Grantee: Luciana Campos Paulino
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 11/16543-8 - Genetic diversity analysis of Malassezia sp. from human skin microbiota in healthy subjects and patients with dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis.
• Grantee: Renan Cardoso Soares
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master