Isolation of Malassezia spp.in cerumen of healthy human and Malassezia associated patients

Objective To investigate the constitution of Malassezia spp.in cerumen of healthy human and Malassezia associated patients.Methods Fourty-seven healthy volunteers and 49 Malassezia associated patients were included.Cerumen was detected by direct microscopic examination using Gram stain,and samples were sent for isolation simultaneously.The standard 7 strains of Malassezia spp.were used as control.The isolates were identified to species by physiological and morphological characeristics.Results In cerumen of Malassezia associated patients,45(91.84%)were positive using direct microscopic examination,40(81.63%)strains were isolated,including 8 strains of Malassezia pachydermatis,10 strains of Malassezia sympodialis,22 strains of Malassezia furfur.In cerumen of healthy volunteers,42(89.36%)were positive using direct microscope examination,37(78.72%)strains were isolated,including 5 strains of Malassezia pachydermatis,8 strains of Malassezia sympodialis,23 strains of Malassezia furfur and 1 strain of Malassezia sloffiae.Conclusions Malassezia spp.were normal commensal in cerumen of human and Malassezia associated patients.No difference of isolation rate and constitution of Malassezia spp.in cerumen were detected in these two groups.