P‐15 Identification of Malassezia spp. isolated from a cat and cattle, including a new species, M. nana

Abstract

Isolates from a cat and cattle with or without otitis externa in Japan and Brazil were thought to be Malassezia spp.,but were clearly distinct from the other nine species of Malassezia which have been reported by molecular analysis, including M. dermatis and M. japonica. These isolates resemble M. dermatis and M. sympodialis morphologically and physiologically, but can be distinguished from these two species by their ability to use cremophor EL as the sole source of lipid and to split esculin. These isolates were classified as a novel species, Malassezia nana,by mycological examination as well as molecular analysis. Methods to identify seven Malassezia species have been reported, but they do not include the three new species, M. nana, M. dermatis and M. japonica. In this study, we described a practical approach to the identification of all 10 species of Malassezia yeasts from clinical material. We improved the identification system by examining lipid requirement, catalase reaction, precipitate production on modified Dixon agar, utility of cremophor EL, ability to split esculin and the shape of cells. This approach represents an identification scheme for Malassezia spp. without elaborate equipment. Funding: Self‐funded.