Effect of zinc pyrithione shampoo treatment on skin commensal Malassezia.

Abstract

Malassezia restricta and Malassezia globosa are lipid dependent commensal yeasts associated with dandruff. Antifungal actives such as zinc pyrithione are commonly used in antidandruff shampoos, although their efficacy is not clearly demonstrated. In this study, we assessed the efficacy of antifungal treatments on scalp Malassezia via a combination of culturomic and genomic detection methods. Zinc pyrithione inhibited Malassezia growth at low minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). In a longitudinal pilot study, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis showed a decrease in M. restricta on the scalp after zinc pyrithione treatment. These findings validate the antifungal efficacy of zinc pyrithione as a dandruff treatment.

LAY ABSTRACT:

Malassezia yeasts are associated with dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. Zinc pyrithione is effective against Malassezia growth in vitro and when tested on human skin as a shampoo. These findings will be useful for investigating the role of Malassezia in skin microbiome intervention studies.

• Authors: Cheryl Leong, Joyce Wang, Min Jet Toi, Yuen In Lam, Joleen Pz Goh, Shi Mun Lee, Thomas L Dawson
• Journal: Medical mycology (Med Mycol) Vol. 59 Issue 2 Pg. 210-213 (Feb 04 2021) ISSN: 1460-2709 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 32785575 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The International Society for Human and Animal Mycology.

Chemical References

• Antifungal Agents
• Organometallic Compounds
• Pyridines
• Soaps
• pyrithione zinc

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Antifungal Agents (pharmacology)
• Cohort Studies
• Humans
• Longitudinal Studies
• Malassezia (classification, drug effects, genetics, growth & development)
• Microbial Sensitivity Tests
• Middle Aged
• Organometallic Compounds (pharmacology)
• Pilot Projects
• Pyridines (pharmacology)
• Scalp (drug effects, microbiology)
• Skin (drug effects, microbiology)
• Soaps (chemistry, pharmacology)
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Symbiosis (drug effects)
• Young Adult