Human Pythiosis: Emergence of Fungal-Like Organism

Detection and Control of Fungal Outbreaks

“…Two other fungal-like pathogens that are reviewed in this special issue are Prototheca [ 24 ] and Pythium [ 25 ], rarely identified by routine diagnostics but known to cause outbreaks. Prototheca are achlorophyllic algae that have a yeast-like colony morphology and therefore historically been studied by medical mycologists [ 24 , 26 ].…”

“…Kano provided a summary on the history, biology, diagnostics, treatment, and current knowledge of Prototheca [ 24 ]. Like Prototheca , the aquatic oomycete Pythium insidiosum has been historically classified as a fungus, while it seems to be closer related to diatoms and algae [ 25 , 26 ]. In their review, Permpalung and colleagues provided an overview of the diagnosis and treatment of this quirky pathogen that causes infections—ranging from keratitis to life-threatening—in both humans and animals [ 25 ].…”

A case of canine cutaneous pythiosis in Thailand

“…From our knowledge up to the present, the members in clade A TH are isolates from the USA, but not from Asia [ 15 ]. It is in contrast to the clades from the environment and all clinical isolates in Thailand, which belong to clade B TH and C TH [ 13, 14 ]. This report will draw the attention that not only human cases, but also animal cases, which pythiosis should be included as endemic in Thailand.…”

“…The method used was direct examination using potassium hydroxide (KOH). The rest of the samples were further submitted for fungal culture, and fungal identification using polymerase chain reaction and phylogenetic analysis according to the previously mentioned method [ 13 ]. Unfortunately, the animal died after the first visit and necropsy was not allowed.…”

“…However, an exceptional pulmonary case in a Staffordshire terrier was documented [ 12 ]. Even though the first human case in Thailand was reported in 1985 and the highest incidence of human cases is in Thailand, no canine case has been documented yet [ 13 ]. Most of these human cases were diagnosed by direct examination or histopathology, showing non-septate hyphae, and the diagnosis was confirmed by rapid growth on the medium and/or molecular techniques.…”