Skip to main content

Pathology of Malassezia folliculitis

Malassezia folliculitis (pityrosporum) is probably caused by Malassezia globosa in most cases. Follicular occlusion Maybe the primary pathology. Yeast overgrowth probably follows as a secondary process.

Histology from malassezia folliculitis

the follicles they are often plugged in but there is another minimum epidermal change. There's a suppurative folliculitis, which mainly involves the infundibular portions of the hair follicle (Figures 1, 2, 3 show the same process with progressively higher magnification). PAS staining reveals numerous oval yeast-like yeasts organisms within the follicle and often in the surroundings dermis (figure 1, inset). Yeasts have been likened to a "clown-nosed clown" as there is often a small bud of the yeast-like shapes (figure 1, arrow). The surrounding dermis shows a reaction inflammatory reaction that can be exuberant if there is follicular rupture.

Pathology of Malassezia folliculitis

pityrosporum-folliculitis-figure-1__protectwyjqcm90zwn0il0_focusfillwzi5ncwymjisingildfd-4314629-7735902

Figure 1

pityrosporum-folliculitis-figure-2__protectwyjqcm90zwn0il0_focusfillwzi5ncwymjisingildfd-7800253-5905121

Figure 2

pityrosporum-folliculitis-figure-3__protectwyjqcm90zwn0il0_focusfillwzi5ncwymjisingildfd-6751086-1216696

figure 3

Special studies for malassezia folliculitis

PAS or MSG is normally required to demonstrate malassezia yeast. the morphology of the organism can be seen in figure 1.

Differential diagnosis of the pathology of the malassezia folliculitis

Bacterial folliculitis Morphologically identical, but without the causal organisms. Malassezia folliculitis is likely underdiagnosed as it will only be recognized if spotting is done in all cases of suppurative folliculitis.

By Majocci granuloma - Instead of yeast-like forms, dermatophytes will be seen within the follicular structures with special spots. The process is usually a deep folliculitis rather than the superficial process seen with pityrosporum folliculitis.