Improved methods for isolation and enumeration of Malassezia furfur from human skin

Abstract

A medium for the isolation and enumeration of Malassezia furfur is described. Incubation at 34 degrees C yielded geometric mean counts (in CFU per square centimeter) of 2.6 X 10(3) on the forehead, 8.5 X 10(2) on the cheek, and 9.6 X 10(3) on the back. These counts compared favorably with microscopic counts and greatly exceeded those obtained with previously described media.