In vivo imaging of Malassezia yeasts on human skin using confocal laser scanning microscopy

✍ Scribed by L. E. Meyer; N. Otberg; H.-J. Tietz; W. Sterry; J. Lademann

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2005
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 209 KB
• Volume: 2
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1612-2011
• DOI: 10.1002/lapl.200410156

✦ Synopsis

Fiber-based confocal laser scanning microscopy affords
a vast field of application in medical research and clinical
practice. The application of fluorescent dye allows real-time
imaging of yeasts of the genus Malassezia on human skin in
vivo. An Ar^+^-laser is used to excite the fluorescent food dye
sodium fluorescein at 488 nm. Its emission is simultaneously
detected in the spectral region from 500–600 nm. Topically
applied fluorescein labels fungal microstructures in native
habitat. Cumulative intradermal injection of the same dye enables
a subsurface view of the underlying cutaneous area.

In the present paper, we report the ability of the combination of
in vivo confocal microscopy and sodium fluorescein
application to produce real-time and high-resolution images of
fungal structures on human skin. The obtained confocal images
demonstrate the micro architecture of superficial Malassezia
yeasts and corneocytes in horizontal plane. Taxonomic
classification into different Malassezia species and observation
of their colonisation patterns in native milieu brings new
conclusions to fungal skin behaviour and diseases. We demonstrate
advantages in clinical investigation practice over traditional
laboratory routine using this non-invasive imaging tool. The
described method opens new promising prospects and the possibility
for further studies in fungal research.