Malassezia furfur - a causative agent of seborrhea

Malassezia furfur is a kind of fungus that causes dandruff. Fungus can cause seborrhea and atopic dermatitis.

This kind of fungus did not "fall from the sky." He existed for many centuries on the skin of a large number of people who peacefully coexisted with him and he did not show his pathogenic effect.

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8]

Causes of the malassezia furfur

For the first time malassezia furfur was described by a specialist in the field of microbiology Eichstedt in 1846. After the discovery of this species of fungus, difficulties with cultivation arose and its physiological properties were not investigated.

Dr. Benham in 1939 managed to understand that the condition for the development and functioning of malassezia furfur needed fats. The definition was further complicated by the fact that this type of fungus has two forms of vital activity - mycelial and yeast.

Scientists Guillot and Gueho in 1996 managed to create a taxonometric series. They recorded 104 strains of Malassezia on the characteristics of DNA, which is determined by PCR methods.

[9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14], [15], [16], [17], [18]

Pathogenesis

For the growth of "young" cells of the epidermis, the so-called "builders" cells-keratinocytes-respond. When a fungus that acts on keratinocytes appears, the cell renewal slows down. The effect consists in the accelerated peeling of the "old" cells, which come off in the form of flakes and form dandruff. The life cycle of the pathogenic fungus malassezia furfur is about 28 days. The process of exfoliation usually goes unnoticed.

With seborrhea, malassezia furfur begins to treat the abundant secretion of the scalp. As a result of vital activity, free fatty acids arise that irritate the skin and cause its peeling. Consequently, skin inflammation and itching occur as a result of the decomposition of fat malassezia furfur fungus.

Excessive sweating and skin fat contribute to the development of malassezia furfur. In any case, with this type of fungal infection, it is necessary to prescribe as soon as possible a treatment that is effective at an early stage and can prevent the development of the disease and its transmission.

Fungus malassezia furfur is not the only cause of dandruff. When dandruff occurs, several pathogenic factors and pathogenetic mechanisms that violate the proper functioning of the scalp skin are often triggered simultaneously. In addition to the aforementioned seborrhea, individual genetic characteristics, hormonal disorders and improper care of hair and scalp can have a significant effect. In addition, excessive sun exposure, air pollution, diseases and multiple immunity disorders, poor nutrition, vitamin and micronutrient deficiencies, stress, etc.

Because of biological growth problems, the physiological functions of malassezia furfur are practically not investigated. Its main feature is that the fungus is not able to ferment the sugars. The main source of carbohydrates is fat. The microorganism can grow both under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. It is believed that the cell contains fatty acids, but they do not serve as a source of energy and do not participate in metabolism. For its nutrition, the fungus uses lipids from the inside of the epidermal cells.

[19], [20], [21], [22], [23],

Symptoms of the malassezia furfur

Symptoms of malassezia furfur are diverse. The localization of seborrheic dermatitis is extensive, but most often the disease affects the scalp, which is covered with hair. It can be detected on the border of the growth of hair, eyebrows and eyelashes, and also affect the skin in the areas of growth of the mustache and beard. The skin of nasolabial and behind-the-back folds, auditory canals, are often areas where localization of lesions occurs. The most rarely affected skin in the sternum and folds of the body.

Fungus can affect the skin of the genitals and anus.

Smooth areas of skin that have affected seborrheic dermatitis, look like inflamed peeling zones. On the scalp, covered with hair, there are inflammations of the skin with partial ecdysis. Sometimes lesions are covered with crusts of hemorrhagic origin. The disease is accompanied by an itch, which is quite intense. If a secondary infection joins, then a suppuration occurs.

Progression of seborrheic dermatitis is closely related to exacerbation of infections of the upper respiratory tract, with the abuse of foods that contain easily digestible carbohydrates and yeast-like fungi.

Diagnostics of the malassezia furfur

Diagnosis of malassezia furfur includes the following types of studies: mycological, immunochemical, allergic.

The main analyzes are mycological examinations. With their help determine the type and type of fungus. In this analysis, scraping is done, a sample is taken with a cotton swab and various laboratory tests are performed.

[24], [25], [26], [27]

Treatment of the malassezia furfur

For more effective treatment of malassezia furfur patients it is necessary:

• adherence to a diet with a low content of easily assimilated carbohydrates;
• limiting the use of products that cause brewing;
• exclusion from the diet of yeast-containing ingredients.

This means to minimize the use of: flour products, not to abuse beer, champagne, wine, kvass. The composition of canned juices, canned vegetables, seafood contains yeast mushrooms. The large consumption of sugar accelerates the processes of fermentation and reproduction of pathogenic flora.

Use of topical ointments that have an antifungal effect. For example, terbinafine ointments, clotrimazole, zinc pyrithione and others, have a positive therapeutic effect. Involving them in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis, of course, is an important component, because these drugs do not have a systemic toxic effect and they do not have withdrawal syndrome. Moreover, with daily hygiene procedures it is necessary to use special cosmetics. For example, gels and soap for the shower, having an antifungal effect. Shampoos - Nizoral, Friederm, Skin-cap), which are recommended to patients for regular use to reduce the population of malassezia furfur.

At the moment, there are the following ways to combat dandruff:

• The first is the cytostatic method, which reduces the rate of cell formation in the outer layer of the epidermis. Shampoos containing octopyrox, tar are used. This method consists in combating visible flakes, but the cause itself is not eliminated. When you stop using these tools, dandruff returns again.
• The second is a keratolytic method - the effect is based on the exfoliation of cells. Specific shampoos are used that contain substances such as, salicylic acid, sulfur. Efficiency is similar to the first method described above. But if these drugs are often prohibited, they lead to thinning and atrophy of the scalp.
• The third is an antimycotic method that controls the growth of Malassezia furfur fungus populations. Efficiency is characterized by the manifestation of a decrease in the number of fungal populations, which allows to normalize the amount of fungal microflora on the surface of the skin. This method of therapy is based on the impact and control of the original causes of dandruff. The method is based on the antimicrobial action of agents that quickly enter the stratum corneum of the epidermis, where it accumulates. Used therapeutic shampoos that contain ketakonazole.

Prevention

Prevention of diseases caused by malassezia furfur includes general recommendations such as:

• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, adherence to diet, work and rest, hardening of the body - all this contributes to the strengthening of immunity.
• Timely use of antimycotic drugs;
• Correct tactics of treatment of somatic pathologies.
• Compliance with personal hygiene and antimycotic handling of personal items to prevent re-infection.

Virtually all fungal diseases are amenable to treatment, although not as quickly as we would like. In some cases, successful therapy requires a fairly long time. Thanks to the suggested recommendations, you will be able to protect yourself as much as possible from the effects of the malassezia furfur fungus.

[28], [29], [30], [31], [32], [33]

Forecast

The prognosis of diseases caused by the fungus malassezia furfur, with timely and correct treatment, is favorable.