title: Molecular analysis of Malassezia species isolated from hospitalized neonates.
abstract: Malassezia species are a part of the skin microflora of neonates. Under certain circumstances, they can cause diseases ranging from simple pustulosis to lifethreatening fungemia in newborn infants. Little information is available about the epidemiology of Malassezia species in neonates. In the present study, we successfully isolated Malassezia yeasts from 68.7% of hospitalized neonates. Using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method (PCR-RFPL), M. furfur (88.06%) was identified as the most isolated species, followed in frequency by M. globosa (10.48%), M. obtusa (0.73%), and M. slooffiae (0.73%). Among the variables studied, only a longer stay in the ward resulted in a higher colonization rate. Using multiple logistic regression, only the type of hospital and ward had some effects on the colonization rate. Our results supported the hypothesis that neonates acquire Malassezia flora through direct contact with their mothers or hospital personnel.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. zomorodian@sums.ac.ir
authors.forename: Kamiar
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zomorodain
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mirhendi
authors.forename: Bita
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tarazooie
authors.forename: Parivash
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kordbacheh
authors.forename: Hojjat
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zeraati
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nayeri
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000032:analysis; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000635:transmission; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D007902:Length of Stay; D016015:Logistic Models; D008290:Malassezia / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D004271:DNA, Fungal