Table 2 Comparative analysis of the three fungal cohabitants
From: Fungal coexistence in the skin mycobiome: a study involving Malassezia, Candida, and Rhodotorula
Characters | Candida parapsilosis | Malassezia furfur | Rhodotorula mucilaginosa |
|---|---|---|---|
Fungal Division | Ascomycota | Basidiomycota | Basidiomycota |
Genome size and Chromosome number | 26Â Mb 14 | 13.5Â Mb 7 | 20Â Mb 10 |
Preferred media for growth | Sabouraud Dextrose Agar/ Yeast Extract–Peptone–Dextrose | modified Dixon’s agar/ Modified Leeming and Notman agar medium | Potato Dextrose Agar/ Yeast Extract–Peptone–Dextrose |
Preferred pH and temperature for growth | 4–5 30–37ºC | 7–9 32–35ºC | 5 22–30ºC |
Doubling time in rich media | Approx. 140Â min | Approx. 170Â min | NA |
Nutritional requirement | high glucose and lipid concentrations | Fatty acid supplements | Carbohydrates and trace elements |
Prevalence | Both non-human source and commensal with human | Sebum rich area, commensal with human. | Environmental and commensal with humans |
Diseases associated with humans | Skin infections like erythema, Hyperkeratosis, onychomycosis, fungemia, arthritis, endocarditis, meningitis, peritonitis, urinary tract infection, vulvo-vaginitis, ocular infections | Skin disorders like pityriasis versicolor, Seborrheic dermatitis, Dandruff, Atopic dermatitis | Bloodstream infections associated with central nervous catheter |
Virulence factors | Adherence, biofilm formation, protease production, phospholipase activity, and secreted aspartyl proteinases | Production of azelaic acid, lipases, and proteases, as well as the ability to evade host immune responses | Biofilm formation, Production of resistant pigments |
Commonly used antifungals | Fluconazole, Echinocandins and Amphotericin B | Ketoconazole, Itraconazole, and Fluconazole | Fluconazole and Amphotericin B |