Malassezia furfur | |
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A scanning electron microscopy image of Malassezia furfur | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Fungi |
Division: | Basidiomycota |
Class: | Malasseziomycetes |
Order: | Malasseziales |
Family: | Malasseziaceae |
Genus: | Malassezia |
Species: | M. furfur
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Binomial name | |
Malassezia furfur | |
Synonyms | |
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Malassezia furfur (formerly known as Pityrosporum ovale) is a species of yeast (a type of fungus) that is naturally found on the skin surfaces of humans and some other mammals. It is associated with a variety of dermatological conditions caused by fungal infections, notably seborrhoeic dermatitis and tinea versicolor. As an opportunistic pathogen, it has further been associated with dandruff, malassezia folliculitis, pityriasis versicolor (alba), and malassezia intertrigo,[1] as well as catheter-related fungemia and pneumonia in patients receiving hematopoietic transplants.