BACKGROUND: Malassezia species, usually part of normal human skin microbiota, may also cause cutaneous infections, mainly pityriasis versicolor (PV) which may rapidly spread in crowded communities, particularly in students' dormitories and sport leisure centers.

OBJECTIVE: Few studies have been conducted on PV in students in the Middle East. The present study was designed to determine prevalence of Malassezia species and related diseases in students from city of Sabzevar, Northeast Iran.

METHODS: Specimens were collected from 189 students and analyzed by direct microscopy and cultures. Following PCR amplification of the large subunit of ribosomal DNA, species were identified by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (RFL-PCR).

RESULTS: PV was suspected for 28 students which was confirmed by direct examination and cultures. Cultures also revealed positive for 13 students with healthy skin. Four Malassezia species were identified, with M. restricta as the most prevalent. A higher rate of PV was observed compared to other regions in Iran. However, despite the lipophilic feature of Malassezia species, no significant association was observed between PV or Malassezia species and fatty skin or gender.

CONCLUSION: This study determined the frequencies of Malassezia species in part of Northeast Iran, but further studies are needed to identify risk factors for PV.