Pityrosporum ovale and seborrhoeic dermatitis in HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative men. Quantitative cultures and serological studies

Background Previous studies of quantitative determinations of Pityrosporum ovale in HIV-seropositive patients with and without seborrhoeic dermatitis are contradictory. Objective To investigate the number of P. ovale among HIV-seronegalive and HIV-seropositive men using contact plates containing cow's milk as the main lipid source and to analyse sera with ELISA for IgG antibodies to a P. ovale protein extract. Results There was no difference in the number of P. ovale between healthy controls and HIV-positive patients with and without seborrhoeic dermatitis. HIV-seropositive patients had significantly lower IgG antibody litres to a P. ovale protein extract compared with healthy individuals.