Yeast Colonization on Healthy Skin in Newborns

In the newborn, colonization by yeast species may be the precursor for a clinical infection. This study assessed yeast colonization on the skin of term infants during the first 48 hours after birth. Skin samples of 100 children were taken from different anatomical regions. The stamp method with transparent plastic tape was used. A direct test with methylene blue (0.25%) was made and cultured in Sabouraud dextrose agar and Dixon media with antibiotics. Isolates were identified according to classic methodology. Results indicate that 45% of the newborns had yeast colonies. Low colonization by Malassezia furfur (5%) and the predominance of Candida parapsilosis (87.9%) were observed. This species of Candida was isolated in 54.2% of births by caesarean section and 33.7% of natural births. The high rate of colonization by C. parapsilosis in children born by caesarean as well as normal delivery could be due to horizontal transmission from the hands of health workers taking care of them.