Malassezia
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| iMalassezia furfur | ||||||||||||||
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| Image:Malassezia furfur in skin scale from a patient with tinea versicolor PHIL 3938 lores.jpg Malassezia furfur in skin scale from a patient with tinea versicolor
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Malassezia (formerly known as Pityrosporum) is a genus of related fungi, classified as yeasts, naturally found on the skin surfaces of many animals and humans.
In humans, the species causing skin disease, including the most common cause of dandruff and tinea versicolor is Malassezia furfur. The skin rash of tinea versicolor (pityriasis versicolor) is due to infection by this fungi, and is also thought to be involved in the skin condition of seborrhoeic dermatitis.
As the fungus requires fat to grow, it is most common in areas with many sebaceous glands: on the scalp, face, and upper part of the body. When the fungus grows too rapidly, the natural renewal of cells is disturbed and dandruff appears with itching (a similar process may also occur with other fungi or bacteria).
Other species of Malassezia have been identified including Malassezia pachydermatis (often found on dogs), Malassezia sympodialis, and Malassezia orbiculare.
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