The epidemiology of Malassezia folliculitis in South China:a multicenter study

Objective: To define the epidemiological characteristics and psychosocial impact of Malassezia folliculitis (MF) in Guangxi. Methods: From September 2022 to August 2023, cases diagnosed with MF were collected for mycological examination and species identification in 14 hospitals in Guangxi, while predisposing factors and psychosocial effects were investigated using a questionnaire. Results: Among the 219 cases, the male-to-female ratio was 1.01:1, which mainly occurred in the age of 18-25 years, with a high incidence in spring and summer seasons. The face was a common site of involvement. The proportion of patients with oily skin, excessive sweating, acne and a preference for spicy food was over 50%. 80.4% patients felt that their studies and work were affected. More than half of the patients felt anxious and had no self-confidence, and it was significantly more common in women than in men (P< 0.05). The most common pathogen of MF was M. sympodialis (35.4%), and the distribution of different species varied considerably according to gender, body parts and seasons (P< 0.05). Conclusion: The face is often affected by MF. Oily skin, excessive sweating, acne and dietary habits are the main predisposing factors. The quality of life and psychoemotional well-being in patients cannot be ignored. M.sympodialis is the predominant species of MF in this region, and the distribution of species varies considerably in terms of gender, body parts and seasons.