A case of intestinal protothecosis

Konzi, K.M.-E.; Assiad, A; Zouaidia, Fouad; Beggar, H; Ouazzani, L.; Lyagoubi, M.; Aoufi, S.

doi:10.1016/j.medmal.2019.09.002

Cited by 5 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…We hypothesized that the cause of the high mortality in those groups might be associated with the central venous catheter or Hickman catheter, thereby increasing the opportunity for biofilm formation and contributing to hard-to-treat characteristics. In many cases of protothecosis, co-occurrence with other pathogens was found, such as Candida , Staphylococci , herpes simplex virus, Enterococci , Leuconostoc , Klebsiella , Cryptococcus , Blastomyces dermatitidis , Pseudomonas , or Escherichia ( 4 , 8 , 10 , 12 , 16 , 23 , 25 , 27 , 33 , 36 ). Our data showed that there were eleven (6/11, 54.5%) co-infected patients with slightly higher mortality than those (11/26, 42.3%) who were not co-infected.…”

Section: Clinical Featuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human Disseminated Protothecosis: The Skin is the “Window”?

et al. 2022

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Human disseminated protothecosis is a rare infection caused by members of the genus Prototheca, an achlorophyllic algae always associated with debilitated hosts. The presence of non-budding cells and large, spherical cells (sporangia) with endosporulation (morula) in histology is proof of Prototheca infection. Regrettably, due to the lack of specificity of clinical features and low awareness among clinicians, protothecosis is always underestimated and misdiagnosed. The available data on a species-specific analysis of this infection are limited. In this review, we summarize the etiological, epidemiological, and clinical aspects of disseminated protothecosis. The potential pathogenicity and clinical differences between P. zopfii and P. wickerhamii were observed. Additionally, the skin not only became the main invasion site but also the most involved organ by the pathogen. With the increasing numbers of immunocompromised individuals throughout the world, the incidence of disseminated infection caused by Prototheca is bound to increase, and disseminated protothecosis that accompanies skin symptoms should be taken into account by clinicians.

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Section: Clinical Featuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human Disseminated Protothecosis: The Skin is the “Window”?

et al. 2022

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“…In several disseminated protothecosis cases, there was a cooccurrence with other pathogens, such as Staphylococci, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Candida, Cryptococcus, Enterococci, Leuconostoc, Blastomyces dermatitidis, or Escherichia. 8,12,17,21,22,27,32,39 Our data showed (18/49, 33.3%) coinfections with protothecosis had no increased mortality compared to cases that were not coinfected (9/20, 45%).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 49%

Disseminated protothecosis: Case report and review of the literature

Shakoei,

Mohamadi,

Ghiasvand

et al. 2024

J Cutan Pathol

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BackgroundHuman protothecosis is an uncommon infection caused by Prototheca spp that rarely infects humans.AimDescription of a rare disease and a review of its articles.Materials and MethodsWe reported a 24‐year‐old man who presented with red‐brown papules and plaques on the trunk's lateral side. We reviewed the literature about disseminated protothecosis and reported our experience with a patient with protothecosis between 2021 and 2023.ResultsOverall, 54 cases of disseminated protothecosis were evaluated, 39 were due to P. wickerhamii, 12 were due to P. zopfii (22.2%), and three were due to Prototheca spp. We found that males were more affected (37 cases, 68.5%) than females (16 cases, 29.6%). The mean age of patients was 39.53 ± 22.48 years. However, disseminated protothecosis can affect people of any age (1–80 years). In contrast to P. wickerhamii, which causes blood, skin, brain, and gastrointestinal tract infections, P. zopfii was mainly found in the blood (7/22) and did not have a significant difference in the mortality rate (P = 0.11).DiscussionDisseminated protothecosis is a rare disease in immunocompromised patients but is generally rarer in immunocompetent hosts. Several underlying disorders include immunocompromised patients, prolonged application of steroids, diabetes mellitus, malignancies, organ transplantation, AIDS, and surgeries. Amphotericin B has been the most effective agent for protothecosis and is reserved for visceral and disseminated infections. Regarding localized cutaneous types, excision or surgical debridement is used.ConclusionMulberry's appearance and appropriate cultural environments are helpful in diagnosing it.

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“…Intestinal protothecosis has been described in one human patient [5] and in dogs [9]. In cats, this disease is typically confined to skin nodules and is sensible to local treatment.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Disseminated infections can occur in immunocompromised hosts [4]. One case of human intestinal protothecosis has been reported [5]. Fewer than 50 cases have been reported in dogs, with most relating to single cases from North America and Australia [6] [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intestinal Protothecosis in a Young Bengal Cat

Manfredini¹,

Formaggini²,

Marino³

et al. 2021

OJVM

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Background: Intestinal protothecosis is an uncommon and insidious mycotic disease. Only one human case and a few rare cases in dogs have been reported. To the authors' knowledge, intestinal protothecosis has never been reported in cats. Case description: This paper describes a case of intestinal protothecosis in a nine-month-old male, Bengal cat. The cat presented because of onset of haemorrhagic diarrhoea. Investigations allowed diagnosis of intestinal protothecosis, confirmed by PCR test on faeces. Treatment with itraconazole did not improve the clinical signs. Treatment with nystatin was prescribed and caused improvement in the clinical signs and decreased number of pathogens seen on faecal cytology. PCR on faecal samples was negative two months after treatment, with complete resolution of symptoms. Conclusion: Infection with Prototheca should be part of the list of differential diagnoses for diarrhoea in cats. nystatin was effective in treating the infection in this case; this drug should be considered as a first-line treatment in cats as well as in dogs, in which protothecosis appears to have a poor prognosis. Although protothecosis is not considered a zoonotic disease, cases of algal infections in companion animals might be considered indicators of environmental risks for humans.

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A case of intestinal protothecosis

Cited by 5 publications

References 8 publications

Human Disseminated Protothecosis: The Skin is the “Window”?

Human Disseminated Protothecosis: The Skin is the “Window”?

Disseminated protothecosis: Case report and review of the literature

Intestinal Protothecosis in a Young Bengal Cat

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