Weekend Digest
Name the pathogen and its treatment.
Name the pathogen and its treatment.
2/
#Prototheca
1. Unicellular achlorophyl algae
2. Exogenous transmit (e.g., trauma inoculation)
3. Cutaneous/bursitis (indolent/ chronic); disseminated in ICH
4. Dx yeast-like; sporangia w endospores in daisy-like pattern / septation
5. Rx ampho B / azole
doi.org/10.1128/JCM.02…
#Prototheca
1. Unicellular achlorophyl algae
2. Exogenous transmit (e.g., trauma inoculation)
3. Cutaneous/bursitis (indolent/ chronic); disseminated in ICH
4. Dx yeast-like; sporangia w endospores in daisy-like pattern / septation
5. Rx ampho B / azole
doi.org/10.1128/JCM.02…
3/
#Prototheca
Spherical unicellular algae
- NO glucosamine, a specific fungal cell wall
- NO muramic acid, a specific bacterial cell component
- Unlike other algae - it lacks chloroplasts —> require external sources of carbon / nitrogen (parasitism)
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/P…
#Prototheca
Spherical unicellular algae
- NO glucosamine, a specific fungal cell wall
- NO muramic acid, a specific bacterial cell component
- Unlike other algae - it lacks chloroplasts —> require external sources of carbon / nitrogen (parasitism)
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/P…
4/
#Protothecosis: Clinical syndromes
Most infections - traumatic inoculation into subcutaneous tissues —>
Olecranon bursitis and cutaneous infections in immunocompetent host
Disseminate w/ visceral involvement in ICH
cmr.asm.org/content/20/2/2…
#Protothecosis: Clinical syndromes
Most infections - traumatic inoculation into subcutaneous tissues —>
Olecranon bursitis and cutaneous infections in immunocompetent host
Disseminate w/ visceral involvement in ICH
cmr.asm.org/content/20/2/2…
5/
#Protothecosis: Diagnosis
Detect characteristic structures on histopath (photo credit: CDC)
P. wickerhamii form symmetrical morula forms, whereas P. zopfii exhibits more random internal segmentation
Molecular methods now available
link.springer.com/article/10.100…
#Protothecosis: Diagnosis
Detect characteristic structures on histopath (photo credit: CDC)
P. wickerhamii form symmetrical morula forms, whereas P. zopfii exhibits more random internal segmentation
Molecular methods now available
link.springer.com/article/10.100…
/6
#Protothecosis: Treatment
Treatment involves medical and surgical approaches
Antifungals: ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, voriconazole, amphotericin B
Amphotericin B - best activity against Prototheca spp.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/P…
#Protothecosis: Treatment
Treatment involves medical and surgical approaches
Antifungals: ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, voriconazole, amphotericin B
Amphotericin B - best activity against Prototheca spp.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/P…
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