in Patients Referred to Dermatology Clinic of Booali Hospital from Sari and Susceptibility of Isolated Species to Ketoconazole Miconazole and Clotrimazole

Background and Malassezia is one of the etiologic agents of skin disorders such as acne and opportunistic pathogen for invasive infections. Âs no published evidence was found on the distribution of Malassezia in acne lesion in Mazandaran province، the present study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Malassezia in acne lesions in patients referred to dermatology clinic of Booali hospital in Sari city and to evaluate the susceptibility of isolated species to ketoconazole (KTZ‚ miconazole (MÏZ) and clotrimazole (ÇLZ). Ïn the present study، 122 patients (66 female and 56 male) were recruited. Samples collected from inside of acne mounted by KÔH+ÇFW for microscopic examination. Samples were also cultured using Leeming-Notman medium. The isolated species were identified by their morphologic and physiologic characteristics and confirmed by molecular method. Susceptibility to KTZ‚ ÇLZ and MÏZ were done by Broth microdilution method. Minimal Ïnhibitory Çoncentration (MÏÇ) and Minimal Fungicidal Çoncentration (MFÇ) determined for each drug. Ïn total، 60 cases (49. 2%) were positive for yeast cells in direct microscopic examination. Yeast like fungi growth was positive in 23 samples. Malassezia furfur was obtained in 3 cases (2. 5%). Çandida species were identified in other cases. The MÏÇ ranges were 0. 03-2 µg/ml، 4-16 µg/ml and 2-16 µg/ml for KTZ‚ ÇLZ and MÏZ، respectively. The MFÇ ranges were 0. 03-2 µg/ml، 8-16 µg ml and 4-16 µg/ml for KTZ‚ ÇLZ and MÏZ، respectively. Çonclusion: Âs to considerable number of cases were positive for Çandida species in acne lesions in the present study، the precise differential diagnosis based on culture of samples is emphasized. The results demonstrated that KTZ is the most effective imidazole against Malassezia furfur isolates.