The biology of Malassezia organisms and their ability to induce immune responses and skin disease

Abstract

<jats:title>TABLE OF CONTENTS</jats:title><jats:p><jats:bold>Introduction</jats:bold> 4</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>History and taxonomy of the genus<jats:italic>Malassezia</jats:italic></jats:bold> 5</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>Biological characteristics of<jats:italic>Malassezia</jats:italic>organisms</jats:bold> 5</jats:p><jats:p>Structure 5</jats:p><jats:p>Reproduction 6</jats:p><jats:p>Biochemistry 6</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>Distribution of<jats:italic>Malassezia</jats:italic>organisms on the host</jats:bold> 6</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>Immunological and epidermal responses to<jats:italic>Malassezia</jats:italic>organisms</jats:bold> 7</jats:p><jats:p>The immune response to<jats:italic>Malassezia</jats:italic>organisms 7</jats:p><jats:p>Antigen release, penetration and presentation 8</jats:p><jats:p>Cell‐mediated immune responses 8</jats:p><jats:p>IgG, IgM and IgA responses to<jats:italic>Malassezia</jats:italic>organisms 9</jats:p><jats:p>IgE responses to<jats:italic>Malassezia</jats:italic>organisms 10</jats:p><jats:p>Mast cell responses 11</jats:p><jats:p>Epidermal responses associated with<jats:italic>Malassezia</jats:italic>dermatitis 12</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold><jats:italic>Malassezia</jats:italic>organisms as pathogens in humans and animals </jats:bold>13</jats:p><jats:p>Diseases associated with<jats:italic>Malassezia</jats:italic>spp. in humans 13</jats:p><jats:p>Pityriasis versicolor 13</jats:p><jats:p><jats:italic>Malassezia</jats:italic>folliculitis 13</jats:p><jats:p>Seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff 14</jats:p><jats:p>Atopic dermatitis 14</jats:p><jats:p><jats:italic>Malassezia</jats:italic>fungaemia 14</jats:p><jats:p>Diseases associated with<jats:italic>Malassezia</jats:italic>spp. in animals 15</jats:p><jats:p><jats:italic>Malassezia</jats:italic>dermatitis in dogs 15</jats:p><jats:p>Predisposing factors for overgrowth of<jats:italic>Malassezia pachydermatis</jats:italic> 15</jats:p><jats:p>Pathogenesis 16</jats:p><jats:p>Clinical features 16</jats:p><jats:p>Diagnosis 17</jats:p><jats:p>Treatment 18</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>Conclusions</jats:bold> 19</jats:p><jats:p>References 19</jats:p>