Malassezia obtusa

Colonies on mDixon agar smooth and flat with a sticky texture [927]. This species is lipid-dependent requiring olive oil for growth on routine media.

Yeast cells are cylindrical, measuring 1.5-2.0 x 4.0-6.0µm. Wet preparations reveal yeast cells with daughter cells being produced from a broad base and measuring up to 10 µm prior to detachment of the daughter cell [927].

This isolate is the most rarely-recovered Malassezia sp.[924]. It may be differentiated from M. globosa by its cell shape and by its ability to grow at 37°C.

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.