Malassezia furfur (formerly known as Pityrosporum ovale) is a species of yeast (a type of fungus) that is naturally found on the skin surfaces of humans and some other mammals.

It is associated with a variety of dermatological conditions caused by fungal infections, notably seborrhoeic dermatitis and tinea versicolor.

Some virulence factors or properties which may increase the fungus' ability to acquire an infectious nature include the formation of biofilms, increased adherence to surfaces, and hydrophobicity and also can form hyphae (long, cylindrical filaments)[3] Infections with pathogenic M. furfur occur on the trunk or the limbs and present clinically as pigmented macules that can merge in the form of scaling plaques.

[4] It has been associated with numerous dermatological conditions, including seborrhoeic dermatitis, dandruff, pityriasis versicolor, and tinea circinata, all of which affect the skin.

[5] Some other diseases can also arise due to an infection with the fungus, such as catheter-related fungemia and pneumonia in patients receiving hematopoietic cell transplants.