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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
09:04
Discovery of New Intracellular Pathogens by Amoebal Coculture and Amoebal Enrichment Approaches
Published on: October 28, 2013
Systemic chlorellosis, an emerging infection in humans caused by algae
1School of Public Health, University of Trnava, St Elizabeth Cancer Institute, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
|August 5, 2000
Summary
Human protothecosis, caused by Prototheca algae, often presents with mild symptoms, especially in systemic cases. Cutaneous infections can be more severe in immunosuppressed individuals but are treatable with antifungals or lesion excision.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Dermatology
Background:
- Protothecosis is a rare infection caused by Prototheca algae.
- Human infections are infrequently reported, necessitating a review of clinical data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review 108 cases of human protothecosis over 25 years.
- To analyze clinical presentations, species distribution, and treatment outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 108 human protothecosis cases.
- Analysis of clinical data, microbiological findings, and treatment responses.
Main Results:
- Prototheca wickerhamii was the most common species identified.
- Systemic infections typically showed few symptoms; cutaneous forms varied, with more severe manifestations in immunosuppressed patients.
- Most cases responded well to lesion excision or antifungal therapy (5-fluorocytosine, amphotericin B, azoles), though resistance was noted.
Conclusions:
- Protothecosis is generally a low-virulence infection with varied clinical presentations.
- Effective treatment options exist, but antifungal resistance is a concern.
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