Detection and Quantification of Specific IgE Antibodies against Eight Malassezia Species in Sera of Patients with Atopic Dermatitis by Using an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay

The lipophilic yeast Malassezia, a member of the cutaneous microflora, is an exacerbating factor in atopic dermatitis (AD). Of the 11 currently recognized species, M. globosa and M. restricta are found to frequently colonize the skin of AD patients. In this study, we attempted to quantify specific IgE antibodies against eight Malassezia species, namely, M. dermatitis, M. furfur, M. globosa, M. obtusa, M. pachydermatis, M. slooffiae, M. sympodialis, and M. restricta, in sera from AD patients by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The specific IgE value against M. restricta was greater than those against other Malassezia species. Competitive ELISA inhibition tests revealed that M. restricta contained species-specific as well as shared antigens. Therefore, M. restricta could be considered as a candidate diagnostic antigen for detecting anti-Malassezia IgE in sera from AD patients.