Protothecosis

Protothecosis
Histologic stain of a Prototheca zopfii infection in a dog
SpecialtyInfectious diseases Edit this on Wikidata

Protothecosis, otherwise known as Algaemia, is a disease found in dogs, cats, cattle, and humans caused by a type of green alga known as Prototheca that lacks chlorophyll and enters the human or animal bloodstream. It and its close relative Helicosporidium are unusual in that they are actually green algae that have become parasites.[1] The two most common species are Prototheca wickerhamii and Prototheca zopfii. Both are known to cause disease in dogs, while most human cases are caused by P. wickerhami.[2] Prototheca is found worldwide in sewage and soil. Infection is rare despite high exposure, and can be related to a defective immune system.[3] In dogs, females and Collies are most commonly affected.[4]

The first human case was identified in 1964 in Sierra Leone.[5]

  1. ^ Tartar A, Boucias DG, Adams BJ, Becnel JJ (2002). "Phylogenetic analysis identifies the invertebrate pathogen Helicosporidium sp as a green alga (Chlorophyta)". Int J Syst Evol Microbiol. 52 (Pt 1): 273–9. doi:10.1099/00207713-52-1-273. PMID 11837312.
  2. ^ Leimann B, Monteiro P, Lazéra M, Candanoza E, Wanke B (2004). "Protothecosis". Med Mycol. 42 (2): 95–106. doi:10.1080/13695780310001653653. PMID 15124862.
  3. ^ Hosaka S, Hosaka M (2004). "A case report of canine protothecosis". J Vet Med Sci. 66 (5): 593–7. doi:10.1292/jvms.66.593. PMID 15187378.
  4. ^ Ettinger, Stephen J., Feldman, Edward C. (1995). Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine (4th ed.). W.B. Saunders Company. ISBN 978-0-7216-6795-9.
  5. ^ Lass-Flörl C, Fille M, Gunsilius E, Gastl G, Nachbaur D (2004). "Disseminated infection with Prototheca zopfii after unrelated stem cell transplantation for leukemia". J. Clin. Microbiol. 42 (10): 4907–8. doi:10.1128/JCM.42.10.4907-4908.2004. PMC 522359. PMID 15472379.