Clinical and microbiological characterization of pityriasis versicolor in Cuban patients

Abstract

Introduction: Pityriasis versicolor is a superficial mycosis, produced by yeasts of the genus Malassezia. It is one of the main reasons for dermatological consultation in tropical countries. The prevalence varies from 0.8 to 30 or 50% and up to now the causative species that predominate in the country are unknown.

Objectives: Describe the main sociodemographic variables of the patients studied with different clinical forms of pityriasis versicolor and define the Malassezia species involved in the cases and its susceptibility to the antifungals used in the treatment.

Methods: An analytical study of a series of cases was carried out in 70 patients with clinical suspicion of pityriasis versicolor who attended the dermatology clinic of the "Pedro Kourí" Institute of Tropical Medicine in Havana, in two different stages (January-April 2012). and May-December 2015). Each patient underwent a clinical examination and sampling of the lesions suggestive of this mycosis. The microbiological characterization of the isolates was carried out using conventional methods. In vitro susceptibility to ketoconazole, fluconazole and itraconazole was assessed by agar diffusion.

Results: 60 % of the individuals diagnosed with pityriasis were female between 21 and 30 years of age. Exposure to environmental humidity, heat and sun were the most frequent predisposing factors. The hypopigmented form predominated (78.6 %), with lesions located on the trunk and upper extremities. The diagnosis was confirmed microbiologically in 87.1 % of the patients. 17 isolates were recovered; Malassezia globosa and Malassezia furfur were the predominant species. All the isolates were sensitive to the evaluated antifungals.

Conclusions: This work constitutes one of the first pieces of evidence on the clinical, epidemiological and microbiological characteristics of pityriasis versicolor in Cuba, thus laying the foundations for further studies.