Malassezia colonisation on a reconstructed human epidermis: Imaging studies.

Abstract

Biofilm formation represents a major microbial virulence attribute especially at epithelial surfaces such as the skin. Malassezia biofilm formation at the skin surface has not yet been addressed. The present study aimed to evaluate Malassezia colonisation pattern on a reconstructed human epidermis (RhE) by imaging techniques. Malassezia clinical isolates were previously isolated from volunteers with pityriasis versicolor and seborrhoeic dermatitis. Yeast of two strains of Mfurfur and Msympodialis were inoculated onto the SkinEthic™ RHE. The tissues were processed for light microscopy, wide-field fluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Colonisation of the RhE surface with aggregates of Malassezia yeast entrapped in a multilayer sheet with variable amount of extracellular matrix was unveiled by imaging techniques following 24, 48, 72 and 96hours of incubation. Whenever yeast were suspended in RPMI medium supplemented with lipids, the biofilm substantially increased with a dense extracellular matrix in which the yeast cells were embedded. Slight differences were found in the biofilm architectural structure between the two tested species with an apparently higher entrapment and viscosity in Mfurfur biofilm. Skin isolates of Mfurfur and Msympodialis were capable of forming biofilm in vitro at the epidermal surface simulating in vivo conditions. Following 24hours of incubation, without added lipids, rudimental matrix was barely visible, conversely to the reported at plastic surfaces. The amount of biofilm apparently increased progressively from 48 to 96hours. A structural heterogeneity of biofilm between species was found.