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We analyzed the short sequence repeats (SSRs) of the intergenic spacer (IGS) region 1 of the ribosomal RNA genes in Malassezia globosa and Malassezia restricta, which predominantly colonize the scalp in androgenetic alopecia (AGA). No AGA-specific SSRs were found in the M. globosa IGS region, whereas a (CT)

Trichophyton tonsurans is a major causative fungus of human dermatophytosis, which has been isolated from contact sport players in Japan. The microbiome in the scalp of judoists with or without T. tonsurans infection was analyzed to investigate the correlation between T. tonsurans infection and microbiome profile. Among 30 members of the same judo team in a high school, samples were collected by scrubbing their scalp with shampoo hairbrushes; then, DNA was extracted directly from the obtained scales. Twenty-seven datasets were subjects for microbiome analysis and T. tonsurans was detected in six members (no T. tonsurans-positive participants had scalp lesions). Regarding the fungal microbiome, Cyphellophora were more abundant in the T. tonsurans-positive group (TP) than T. tonsurans-negative group (TN) (P < 0.05). Regarding the Malassezia microbiome, Malassezia caprae were more abundant in TP than TN (P < 0.01). Regarding the bacterial microbiome, Lactococcus, Actinobacillus, Beijerinckiaceae and Xanthomonas were more abundant in TP than TN (P < 0.05). Also, the Shannon diversity index revealed no significant diversity between TP and TN, and 3-D principal coordinate analysis revealed no clear separation between TP and TN. There was practically no difference in microbiome between TP and TN, indicating that T. tonsurans could colonize humans regardless of their original microbiome. T. tonsurans coexisted with other fungi and bacteria without affecting species diversity in asymptomatic carriers. To our knowledge, this is the first investigation of the correlation between T. tonsurans infection and microbiome profile.

The aim of this study was to develop a method for the rapid detection of Gardnerella vaginalis, which is proposed to play a key role in the pathogenesis of bacterial vaginosis. Specific loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) primers were designed and used to detect target DNA within 45 min under isothermal conditions. Comparative screening indicated that the LAMP assay is superior to PCR in terms of rapidity, and is equivalent in sensitivity and specificity. This LAMP assay can be used for rapid screening and detection of G. vaginalis in vaginal samples; the limit of detection is 10 fg DNA.

Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a chronic inflammatory dermatologic condition in which erythema and itching develop on areas of the body with sebaceous glands, such as the scalp, face and chest. The inflammation is evoked directly by oleic acid, which is hydrolyzed from sebum by lipases secreted by skin microorganisms. Although the skin fungal genus, Malassezia, is thought to be the causative agent of SD, analysis of the bacterial microbiota of skin samples of patients with SD is necessary to clarify any association with Malassezia because the skin microbiota comprises diverse bacterial and fungal genera. In the present study, bacterial microbiotas were analyzed at non-lesional and lesional sites of 24 patients with SD by pyrosequencing and qPCR. Principal coordinate analysis revealed clear separation between the microbiota of non-lesional and lesional sites. Acinetobacter, Corynebacterium, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and Propionibacterium were abundant at both sites. Propionibacterium was abundant at non-lesional sites, whereas Acinetobacter, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus predominated at lesional sites; however, the extent of Propionibacterium colonization did not differ significantly between lesional and non-lesional sites according to qPCR. Given that these abundant bacteria hydrolyze sebum, they may also contribute to SD development. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive analysis of the bacterial microbiotas of the skin of SD patients.

The common skin disease acne vulgaris is caused by Propionibacterium acnes. A lipase secreted by this microorganism metabolizes sebum and the resulting metabolites evoke inflammation in human skin. The antifungal drug ketoconazole inhibits P. acnes lipase activity. We previously showed that the drug also inhibits the growth of P. acnes. Thus, ketoconazole may serve as an alternative treatment for acne vulgaris, which is important because the number of antibiotic-resistant P. acnes strains has been increasing.