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Journal of Clinical Microbiology, August 2005, p. 4147-4151, Vol. 43, No. 8
0095-1137/05/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JCM.43.8.4147-4151.2005
Copyright © 2005, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Novel Application of the Masson-Fontana Stain for Demonstrating Malassezia Species Melanin-Like Pigment Production In Vitro and in Clinical Specimens

George Gaitanis,1 Vassiliki Chasapi,2 and Aristea Velegraki1*

Mycology Reference Laboratory (Hellenic Centre for Diseases Control), Microbiology Department, Medical School, University of Athens,1 Third Dermatology Department, National Health System, "A. Sygros" Hospital, Athens, Greece2

Received 8 December 2004/ Returned for modification 4 March 2005/ Accepted 14 April 2005

Melanin-like pigment produced in vitro and in vivo by Malassezia yeasts has not been described before. Masson-Fontana staining confirmed accumulation of black pigment on the cell walls of L-dihydroxyphenylalaline (L-DOPA)-cultured Malassezia species. Black pigment was also observed in cells and hyphae from hyperpigmented patient lesions with culture-confirmed pityriasis versicolor and seborrheic dermatitis.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Mycology Reference Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Medical School, University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75-77, Goudi, Athens 115 27, Greece. Phone: 30210 746 2146. Fax: 30210 746 2147. E-mail: aveleg{at}med.uoa.gr.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, August 2005, p. 4147-4151, Vol. 43, No. 8
0095-1137/05/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JCM.43.8.4147-4151.2005
Copyright © 2005, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.





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