Sketchy Micro: Malassezia Furfur / Pityriasis Versicolor

Question 1

Malassezia furfur is also called _______________.

Answer 1

Pityriasis versicolor –two names for one fungi

Think of the Versi di Colore sauce at Malassezia’s restaurant.

Question 2

Malassezia furfur has a _____________ appearance on KOH staining.

Answer 2

“spaghetti and meatballs”

Think of the chef sprinkling KOH on the woman in the FUR coat’s spaghetti.

Question 3

M. furfur thrives in ______________.

Answer 3

hot and humid conditions (like the heat lamps and the sweating chef)

Question 4

What is Pityriasis versicolor?

Answer 4

A rash caused by M. furfur in healthy people that is hypo- and hyperpigmented

(Think of the chef’s coat which has light and dark spots of sauce.)

Question 5

Why does M. furfur cause hypopigmentation?

Answer 5

It metabolizes lipids and produces products that harm melanocytes.

(Think of the broken bottle of olive oil to remember lipid degradation.)

Question 6

M. furfur is generally confined to the _____________.

Answer 6

stratum corneum (represented by the corn on the lasagna)

Question 7

Typically, the only population at risk for systemic fungemia from M. furfur is _______________.

Answer 7

babies in the NICU receiving TPN; the fungus thrives on the lipid content of TPN

(Think of the baby in the woman’s arms with the noodle that looks like a peripheral line.)

Question 8

Cutaneous Malassezia is treated with _____________.

Answer 8

selenium sulfide (Selsun blue)

Think of the blue stained glass image of the sun.