Malassezia furfur (null)

Malassezia furfur is a lipophilic yeast that naturally colonizes human skin and body surfaces, thriving in lipid-rich environments through secretion of lipases like MfLIP1 to break down external lipids for growth. It reproduces via unipolar budding from bottle-shaped phialides, forming globose to ellipsoidal yeast cells, and exhibits variable colony morphology from creamy yellow to brown. As a commensal, it maintains skin homeostasis by influencing barrier function and immunity, but overgrowth or imbalance triggers diseases such as seborrheic dermatitis, pityriasis versicolor, atopic eczema, and folliculitis, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. The secreted aspartyl protease Mfsap1 promotes fungal adhesion, dispersal, and inflammation in barrier-compromised skin. Antifungals like azoles target it by disrupting ergosterol synthesis in the cell membrane, though resistance and irritation pose challenges; synergistic plant extracts show promise in reducing fungal load and inflammation. Deep-seated infections occur rarely in vulnerable patients.

Other names

M. furfur

Inhibition of ergosterol synthesis