IDENTIFICATION OF MALASSEZIA SPECIES ON THE SCALP IN VIETNAMESE PATIENTS WITH SEBORRHEIC DERMATITIS

Introduction: Malassezia spp. is a common fungus in healthy people as well as many skin diseases including seborrheic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, folliculitis. This study investigates the distribution of Malassezia and its relationship with clinical characteristics of seborrheic dermatitis patients in Viet Nam. Objectives: To identify Malassezia spp. on the scalp and to investigate the relationship between Malassezia species and clinical characteristics in seborrheic dermatitis. Methods: Descriptive study with 65 seborrheic dermatitis patients between August 2019 and June 2020. All species were cultured in the sabouraud agar and m-Dixon and identified by Tween 20, Tween 40, Tween 60, Tween 80, Cremophor EL, CHROM agar Malassezia. Results: The positive culture rate was 69.2% (45/65). M. globosa had the highest frenquency with 51.1%, followed by M. furfur (31.1%), M. restricta (8.9%), M. sympodialis (2.2%). M. globosa was found commonly in group from 30 to 49 years old (30.4%), male (55.2%) and were in the lip, chin and forehead (77.8%, 57.1%, 54.5%, respectively). . Conclusion: M. globosa is a common species in Vietnamese patients with seborrheic dermatitis. There was no relationship between Malassezia species regarding age, sex, and clinical characteristics