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Comparison of Malassezia Spp Proportions in Inflammatory and Non Inflammatory Facial Acne Vulgaris Lesions

Comparison of Malassezia Spp Proportions in Inflammatory and Non Inflammatory Facial Acne Vulgaris Lesions

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04367584
Enrollment
120
Registered
2020-04-29
Start date
2018-10-01
Completion date
2018-12-30
Last updated
2020-05-01

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Acne Vulgaris

Keywords

Acne lesion, Malassezia spp, skin microbiome, pruritus

Brief summary

Acne vulgaris (AV) is a common inflammatory condition involving pilosebaceous unit. The pathogenesis of acne is multifactorial and skin microbiome is considered to be one of the key factors that aggravate inflammation. Malassezia spp is normal flora on the skin and several studies have reported its corelation with inflammatory AV lesion. Malassezia have higher lipase activity compared to Propionibacterium acnes which triggers an increase in free fatty acid and glycerol, the chemotactic factors towards neutrophils and inducing inflammation in AV. Malassezia folliculitis (MF) is sometimes confused with and may present together with AV. Pruritus usually presents in MF but some studies also reported itching as common symptom in AV. The objectives of this study were to identify the presence and the distribution of Malassezia spp. in facial AV lesions, to compare the distribution of Malassezia spp. between inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions and to identify the association between Malassezia spp in acne lesions and pruritus symptom.

Detailed description

This study used cross sectional design study. Subjects with eligible criteria were included. Subjects were divided into subjects with inflammatory lesions and subjects with non inflammatory lesions. Physical examination consisted of assesment of AV severity (using Lehman criteria) and presence of pruritus based on visual analog scale. Clinical documetations were taken. Follicular content of four inflammatory lesions or four non inflammatory lesions were collected for microscopic examination with KOH solution and fungal culture examination (using CHROMagar Malassezia, Dextrose Saboraud agar (DSA), and Tween 60-esculin agar). The presence of Malassezia spp and its spore load in both groups were assesed and analyzed for its corelation with AV severity and presence of pruritus.

Interventions

OTHERClinical and laboratory examination

Clinical and laboratory examination (follicular content of acne lesions were obtained for fungal microscopic examination and fungal culture)

Sponsors

Indonesia University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
OTHER
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
15 Years to 49 Years

Inclusion criteria

* Subjects with age of 15-49 years with AV and the presence of at least four inflammatory and four non-inflammatory lesions

Exclusion criteria

* Subjects with prior topical retinoid acid or topical antifungal medication within the past two weeks, systemic antibiotic or antifungal use within the past month, and corticosteroid use within the past six months

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Proportion of Malassezia spp. from culture examinationSample collected during subjects enrollmentProportion of Malassezia spp. from culture of inflammatory and non-inflammatory facial AV lesions

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Proportion of fungal spore load based on microscopic examinationSample collected during subjects enrollmentProportion of fungal spore load of inflammatory and non-inflammatory facial AV lesions based on microscopic examination graded using Jacinto Jamora criteria
Presence and severity of pruritusData collected during subjects enrollmentPresence and severity of pruritus graded using visual analog scale in correlation with the presence of Malassezia spp and its spore load

Countries

Indonesia

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026