Guého, Guillot & Midgley (1996)
Macroscopic morphology
Colonies on mDixon agar are dull, smooth in the center and rough at the edges [927]. The texture is hard and brittle. This species is lipid-dependent requiring olive oil for growth on routine media.
Microscopic morphology
Yeast cells are spherical to oval, measuring 1.5-2.0 x 2.5-4.0µm. Wet preparations reveal yeast cells with daughter cells being produced from a narrow base [927].
Special notes
This species is regularly recovered from the scalp and face [924]. It may be differentiated from other Malassezia spp. by its negative catalase reaction.
In vitro susceptibility data
Susceptibility testing according to NCCLS/CLSI Document M27-A2 is not possible due to the oleic acid requirement of this species.