[Cremophor EL test for identification of Malassezia species].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To establish a new method using cremophor EL test for the identification of Malassezia. METHODS: The suspension of Malassezia fur fur was incubated in a broth containing different concentrations of cremophor EL at 32 degrees C. Cell growth of the yeast was counted by hematocytometer at the 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th day, respectively. The optimum concentration of cremophor EL for Malassezia was determined by means of variance analysis. Then the 11 species of Malassezia were inoculate in the agar containing the optimum concentration of cremophor EL, and the growth of colony of each species were observed and compared with those inoculated under traditional conditions. RESULTS: The optimum concentration of cremophor EL for Malassezia fur fur was 4% (P < 0.05). The growth of the 11 species in the agar containing 4% cremophor EL were identical with those inoculated under the traditional conditions. The new method was easy to perform and demanded less culture medium and strains of yeast. CONCLUSION: The cremophor EL test can improve the efficiency and reduce the cost of identification of Malassezia species.