Tragiannidis A, Bisping G, Koehler G et al. Mycoses 2010;53:187–95.
Malassezia are opportunistic yeasts that can cause recurrent skin infections and invasive infections in the immunocompromised patient. The spectrum of infection ranges from very mild to life-threatening. Malassezia fungemia is usually associated with lipid-solution administration through venous catheters. Treatment includes catheter removal and antifungal therapy with fluconazole or voriconazole as first-line agents.
Malassezia spp. are basidiomycetous yeasts that normally inhabit the human skin and may cause mild, cutaneous infections. Furthermore, in the immunocompromised host, including critically ill neonates, Malassezia spp. can cause a number of invasive infections. In this article, the authors review the epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment strategies, and outcome of Malassezia infections in immunocompromised patients.