Association of Malassezia to Atopic Dermatitis

AbstractPurpose of ReviewAtopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic, inherited, relapsing, inflammatory skin condition. A multifactorial etiology has been postulated, including genetic and immunological factors, impaired skin barrier function and environmental triggers, all of them are relevant in the pathogenesis.Malassezia spp. is the most common fungi of the skin microbiome. Most of the studies comparing the skin colonization withMalassezia spp. in healthy people and AD patients did not show difference between both groups. This review aims to show the studies carried out in this regard and the reported evidence about the role ofMalassezia spp. in the pathogenesis of AD.Recent FindingsThe rate of IgE-mediated sensitizationMalassezia spp. is very high in AD patients, mainly in adult patients and in patients with involvement in the head and neck. Different mechanisms have been postulated to explain the interaction ofMalassezia spp. with human skin cells and immune cells and how its interaction contributes to the inflammation process in AD. Systemic and topical azole antifungals have been used with doubtful results showing beneficial effects in some AD patients.SummaryThere is no clear explanation for the high frequency ofMalassezia spp. sensitization in AD patients in relation with healthy individuals. Further research is necessary to determine the specific role ofMalassezia in AD and the indication for the use of antifungals in this disease.
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research