Malassezia and Candida are two genera of fungus that cause pityriasis versicolor and candidiasis, respectively. Here, let’s learn more about the differences between Candida and Malassezia.
Table of Content
Candida
Candida species are common skin and mucosal residents. They are yeast-like fungi that are known to cause infections worldwide. Candida albicans is a budding cell that is ovoid or spherical in shape, cream or white in colour and develops pseudomycelia both in tissues and in culture. Candidiasis is an infection of the skin, mucosa, and, in rare cases, internal organs caused by Candida albicans. Candidiasis is an opportunistic endogenous infection, with diabetes being the most frequent risk factor. Other Candida species are also increasingly reported to cause clinical infections. Examples:
C. glabrata
C. tropicalis
C. keyfr (formerly C.pseudotropicalis)
C. stellatoidea
Candida species are almost universal. They are most common in intertriginous skin portions like skin folds of the breasts. Some Candida species are also extremely beneficial to humans. For example, C. rugosa produces lipases, and C. krusei ferments cocoa during chocolate manufacture.
See more: Kingdom Fungi
Malassezia
Malassezia is the only genus of fungi under the family Malasseziaceae. In humans, these fungi cause dermatitis and dandruff. Malassezia species may be found on the skin of numerous animals as well as humans. They occasionally induce opportunistic infections. In humans, several species can produce hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation on the trunk and other areas. This genus has around 22 recognised species. Examples:
M. brasiliensis
M. caprae
M. dermatis
M. furfur
Pityriasis versicolor is a disease caused by a lipophilic, yeast-like fungus called M. furfur. It is an asymptomatic, chronic disease that involves the stratum corneum. It results in discrete macular areas of depigmentation or discolouration on the skin of the abdomen, chest, back and upper limbs. In most cases, it is also caused by M. globosa. This species also causes seborrhoeic dermatitis and dandruff.
Difference between Candida and Malassezia
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Candida |
Malassezia |
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Candida is a genus of yeast-like fungus belonging to the division Ascomycota. |
Malassezia is a genus of yeast-like fungus belonging to the division Basidiomycota. |
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They are mostly found in mucosal layers of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts along with the skin. |
They are naturally present on the skin surfaces of humans and animals. |
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This species is the main cause for most fungal skin infections. |
This species occasionally causes opportunistic skin infections. |
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They cause several candidiasis infections like oral thrush and vaginal yeast infection. |
It causes pityriasis versicolor, seborrhoeic dermatitis and dandruff. |
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Some of them are beneficial to humans like C. rugosa which produces lipases, and C. krusei which ferments cocoa during chocolate manufacture. |
There are no such beneficial uses with Malassezia species. |
Do explore BYJU’S Biology to learn more such exciting differences between concepts.
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