Malassezia globosa

This species is lipid-dependent requiring olive oil for growth on routine laboratory media. Colonies on mDixon agar are raised, folded and rough with a course, brittle texture [927].

Yeast cells are spherical measuring 2.5-8.0 µm. Wet preparations reveal yeast cells with daughter cells being produced from a narrow base. Collarettes resulting from budding scars are not prominent. A structure similar to the pseudo germ tube noted with Candida tropicalis may be noted originating from point of attachment between the mother and daughter cells [924].

It may be differentiated from M. obtusa by its cell shape and by its failure to grow at 37°C. It is frequently recovered in addition to other Malassezia spp. from the same source.

Susceptibility testing according to NCCLS/CLSI Document M27-A2 is not possible due to the oleic acid requirement of this species.

PubMed

GenBank

References

924. Gueho, E., T. Boekhout, H. R. Ashbee, J. Guillot, A. Van Belkum, and J. Faergemann. 1998. The role of Malassezia species in the ecology of human skin and as pathogens. Med Mycol. 36:220-229.

927. Gueho, E., G. Midgley, and J. Guillot. 1996. The genus Malassezia with description of four new species. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek. 69:337-355.