Background: Pityriasis versicolor is a moderate, persistent, superficial skin illness caused by Malassezia furfur and/or other Malassezia species. The lesions are characterised by the development of distinct, serpentine, hyper- or hypopigmented macules, often on the chest, upper back, arms, and belly. Clusterin [apolipoprotein J] is a heterodimeric, disulfide-linked, 75-80kDa protein related with apoptosis and cellular debris clearance. Clusterin is encoded on human chromosome 8 by the CLU gene. CLU is a molecular chaperone that helps secreted proteins fold. It has a function in a variety of clinical ailments associated with oxidative stress, such as inflammatory disorders, neurological diseases, and malignant situations. This paper intended to determine the serum concentration of CLU in Pityriasis versicolor patients and its potential significance in the disease's development.
Malassezia furfur and/or other Malassezia species are the underlying cause of pityriasis versicolor [1], a mild-to-moderate, long-lasting, superficial skin disease.
In order to multiply and change from the commensal yeast form to the mycelial phase (pseudofilamentous parasitic form), the species Malassezia, which is part of the normal microflora of the skin, needs certain predisposing components [2].