The Review of the Pathogenic Elements Associated with Malassezia

Jingxi Chen

doi:10.54254/2753-8818/2025.SH25954

Theoretical and Natural ScienceOpen access

The Review of the Pathogenic Elements Associated with Malassezia

Research Article

Open Access

The Review of the Pathogenic Elements Associated with Malassezia

Jingxi Chen ^1*

¹ Kang Chiao International School

^*Corresponding author: Luketozaki0926@gmail.com

Published on 13 August 2025

TNS Vol.131

ISSN (Print): 2753-8826

ISSN (Online): 2753-8818

ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-291-1

ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-292-8

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Abstract

Malassezia is a yeast that typically exists as a harmless organism within the host's skin flora. However, under specific microenvironmental conditions, it can transform into a pathogenic form directly linked to seborrheic dermatitis and pityriasis versicolor. These findings highlight the critical need to decipher its phase transition mechanisms, particularly the lipase activation threshold triggering pathogenicity. Within this broader analytical framework, this paper reviews what the evidence appears to reveal regarding the pathogenic factors of Malassezia based on what seems to emerge from existing literature and data. What the analysis tends to support is that the relationship between Malassezia and its human host appears to be complex, seemingly varying by body site, age group, and what appears to be host susceptibility. The pathogenicity of Malassezia is not an inherent attribute but rather a dynamic process triggered by imbalances in the host microenvironment. Future research must employ integrated multi-omics approaches (microbiomics, metabolomics, and immunomics) to dissect strain adaptation mechanisms. This will advance precision intervention strategies targeting host-microbe interactions, thereby facilitating a paradigm shift from "antimicrobial" to "microbiome-preserving" therapeutic approaches.

Keywords:

Malassezia, Symbiosis, Pathogenesis, Pathogenic Mechanisms, Skin Microbiota, Strategies

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References

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[7]. Sparber, F., et al. (2015). "The skin commensal yeast Malassezia triggers a type 17 response that coordinates antifungal defense and prevents skin immunopathology." Immunity, 43(3), 515-526.

[8]. Zhang Xuejun, Zhengjie. 2018. Dermatology and Venereology. 9th ed. 978-7-117-26670-3.

[9]. Fang Hongyuan. 2015. Zhu's Dermatology. 4th ed. 978-7-117-20409-5.

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References

[1]. Paichitrojjana, A. (2022). Malassezia Folliculitis: A Review Article. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand, 105(2).

[3]. Rudra, P., & Boyd, J. M. (2020). Metabolic control of virulence factor production in Staphylococcus aureus. Current opinion in microbiology, 55, 81–87.

[5]. Sparber, F., et al. (2019). "Malassezia spp.-induced IL-23 secretion from human dendritic cells requires Dectin-1 and Syk signaling." Frontiers in Immunology.

[6]. Borda, L. J., & Wikramanayake, T. C. (2015). "Seborrheic Dermatitis and Dandruff: A Comprehensive Review." Journal of Clinical and Investigative Dermatology.

[7]. Sparber, F., et al. (2015). "The skin commensal yeast Malassezia triggers a type 17 response that coordinates antifungal defense and prevents skin immunopathology." Immunity, 43(3), 515-526.

[8]. Zhang Xuejun, Zhengjie. 2018. Dermatology and Venereology. 9th ed. 978-7-117-26670-3.

[9]. Fang Hongyuan. 2015. Zhu's Dermatology. 4th ed. 978-7-117-20409-5.

Cite this article

Chen,J. (2025). The Review of the Pathogenic Elements Associated with Malassezia. Theoretical and Natural Science,131,32-38.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of ICBioMed 2025 Symposium: Interdisciplinary Frontiers in Pharmaceutical Sciences

ISBN: 978-1-80590-291-1(Print) / 978-1-80590-292-8(Online)

Editor: Alan Wang, Xiangdong Xue

Conference website: https://www.icbiomed.org/shanghai.html

Conference date: 11 September 2025

Series: Theoretical and Natural Science

Volume number: Vol.131

ISSN: 2753-8818(Print) / 2753-8826(Online)

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