Malassezia globosa is a fat-dependent yeast that normally lives on the skin and mucosa in humans and other mammals. This yeast forms a large component of the skin microbiome, being commensal but also associated with some skin problems and blood infections. M. globosa is often found on the back, back of the head and inguinal crease (where the top of the leg joins the torso)1.
Most studies into the abundance and positioning of M. globosa have been performed on Caucasians of Western descent, whereby M. restricta and M. globosa are the most abundant species by far. However, further studies into Chinese subjects in Hong Kong reveal 90 per cent of sequencing was M. restricta, distantly followed by M. globosa at 5.3 per cent.
In a Japanese study, species different by sex, area of the body and the season. In males, M. globosa and M. restricta were the dominant species, while in females, M. globosa and M. sympodialis were dominant.
M. globosa infection of the vulva
Seborrheic dermatitis of the vulva can be caused by M. globosa, since the vulva is rich in sebum.
References
- 1.Theelen B, Cafarchia C, Gaitanis G, Bassukas ID, Boekhout T, Dawson TL Jr. Corrigendum: Malassezia ecology, pathophysiology, and treatment. Medical Mycology. Published online July 14, 2018:e2-e2. doi:10.1093/mmy/myy046
