ABSTRACT
Members of the genus Malassezia spp. are part of human and animal microbiota, belonging to the phylum Basidiomycota, class Malasseziomycetes. The most frequent clinical manifestation of Malassezia skin infections is pityriasis versicolor—revealed by characteristic hypo- or hyperpigmented plaques with moderate or absent inflammation—due to alterations in the function of melanocytes. Laboratory methods to establish the diagnosis of catheter-related Malassezia infections are recommended for patients with clinical evidence of sepsis who are receiving lipid emulsions through a central venous catheter. Catheter-associated Malassezia infections have been reported with increasing frequency, proving that opportunistic infections can progress to peritonitis, mixed bacterial-fungal septic arthritis, mastitis, postoperative sinusitis, fungemia, or disseminated clinical forms affecting several organs. In catheter-related Malassezia infections, direct microscopy of blood drawn through the catheter may reveal characteristic single budding yeast cells, indicating the culture is positive, but smears of peripheral blood are usually negative.
