Studies on the lipophilic yeast Pityrosporum ovale in HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative homosexual men

Abstract

Pityrosporum ovale has been implicated in the pathogenesis of seborrheic dermatitis, a dermatosis occurring with high prevalence in symptomatic HIV-infected individuals. Quantitative cultures for P. ovale were taken in 12 HIV-seropositive patients and in 12 HIV-seronegative controls. Sera were analysed for antibodies to P. ovale. In HIV-seropositive patients, lymphocyte subsets were analysed. The mean number of P. ovale/cm2, the mean serum antibody titres against this yeast and the occurrence of cutaneous disorders did not differ significantly between the two studied groups. No correlation was found between the number of P. ovale/cm2 and the immune status of the HIV-seropositive subjects. The absence of more serious immunological deterioration in the studied HIV-seropositive men may explain the results of this study.