In vitro determination of the susceptibility of Malassezia furfur biofilm to different commercially used antimicrobials

Malassezia furfur is a yeast known as the etiological agent of seborrheic dermatitis. We evaluated the action of five different antimicrobials (amphotericin B, chloramphenicol, ketoconazole, fluconazole, and nystatin) on inhibiting biofilm formation and removing biofilm already formed by M. furfur. The assays were carried out using the microdilution method, and scanning electron microscopy images were used to analyze the biofilm structure. According to the results obtained, the percentage of inhibition was higher for chloramphenicol, followed by ketoconazole, nystatin, and amphotericin B. Regarding the eradication of the biofilm formed, the highest percentage was chloramphenicol, followed by ketoconazole and nystatin. Amphotericin B did not affect biofilm eradication, whereas fluconazole did not cause significant changes inhibiting or removing M. furfur biofilm. Therefore, except for fluconazole, all evaluated antimicrobials had inhibiting effects on the biofilm of M. furfur, either in its formation and/or eradication. Although the results achieved with chloramphenicol have been highlighted, further in vitro and in vivo studies are still needed in order to include this antimicrobial in the therapy of seborrheic dermatitis due to its toxicity, especially to the bone marrow.