A genus of fungi of disputed pathogenicity found in dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. [G. pityron, bran, + sporos, seed]
- P. orbiculare SYN: Malassezia furfur.
- P. ovale SYN: Malassezia furfur.
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n.
a genus of yeasts producing superficial infections of the skin. The species P. orbiculare is a normal inhabitant of the scalp but it can become pathogenic in susceptible individuals (see pityriasis).
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Pit·y·ros·po·rum (pit″ĭ-rosґpə-rəm) [Gr. pityron bran + sporos seed] former name for Malassezia. P. orbiculaґre is M. furfur and P. ovaґle is M. ovalis.Medical dictionary. 2011.