Abstract

Background and Aim: The knowledge and recognition of fungal diseases in each area is extremely important. The aim of this study was the survey and molecular identification of Malassezia species which were isolated from pityrosporosis and tinea versicolor diseases in military forces on three Iranian islands of Abu-Musa, Great Tonb and Sirri's by PCR-sequencing method. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed during October - September 2011 in Abu-Musa, Great Tonb and Sirri's islands (Persian Gulf) on military individuals. The samples taken from patients with suspected fungal lesions were studied by mycological (direct, culture) and molecular methods (PCR-sequencing). Results: In this study, 102 military forces with the mean age of 26 years within the range of 19-53 years old were studied. Among them, 17 patients (16.7 ) were infected with fungal diseases of pityrosporosis (dandruff) (58.8 ), tinea versicolor (35.3 ) and dermatophytosis (5.9 ) respectively. The most frequent species of Malassezia isolated from dandruff and tinea versicolor were M. restricta (80) and M. globosa (67), respectively. Conclusion: In this study, the most frequent Malassezia species isolated from dandruff and tinea versicolor were M. restricta and M. globosa, respectively. In this study, the manual method of DNA extraction from direct sample scrapings was used which has been rarely reported in Iran.