Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Overview of Protists

Overview of Protists

Protists are diverse eukaryotic microorganisms that lack the specialized tissues of plants and animals and the chitinous cell walls of fungi. Their early divergence within Eukarya resulted in structural, functional, and ecological diversity. They are classified into supergroups such as Archaeplastida, Excavata, Amoebozoa, Rhizaria, Alveolata, and Stramenopiles, determined through genetic analysis and structural similarities.Structural and Functional AdaptationsProtists have various adaptations...

Amebiasis

Amebiasis

Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...

Giardiasis

Giardiasis

Giardiasis is a globally prevalent intestinal infection caused by the protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis (also known as G. lamblia or G. intestinalis). This flagellated protozoan is the most frequently identified intestinal parasite in the United States and worldwide. Transmission primarily occurs via the fecal-oral route, with infection arising from ingestion of water or food contaminated with cysts. Individuals in low-resource settings, international travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, daycare...

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...

Diversity of Protists II

Diversity of Protists II

Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...

Bacterial Phylum Planctomycetes

Bacterial Phylum Planctomycetes

Planctomycetes are a group of morphologically distinct bacteria predominantly classified into two orders: Planctomycetales and Brocadiales. These gram-negative bacteria exhibit unique features, including division by budding and the presence of stalks or appendages. Their cells are often found in rosette arrangements, and they are notable for possessing an S-layer in their cell envelope, which is relatively uncommon among bacteria. Additionally, Planctomycetes frequently exhibit intracellular...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Diversity and Antifungal Susceptibility of Malassezia spp. Isolated From Brazilian Patients With Pityriasis Versicolor and Seborrheic Dermatitis.

Mycoses·2026

Same author

Microbial Diversity and Composition Uncovered on Obturator Prosthesis Biofilms: Exploratory Findings from a Pilot Study.

Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)·2026

Same author

Reaffirming the importance of nomenclature stability for <i>Candida auris</i> and its associated disease of candidiasis.

Journal of clinical microbiology·2025

Same author

Improving noninvasive diagnosis of cutaneous and gastrointestinal forms of Pythium insidiosum infections in dogs: complementary roles of serum-based ELISA and polymerase chain reaction.

American journal of veterinary research·2025

Same author

Highly sensitive multiplex PCR for convenient quantification and differentiation of canine <i>Oomycota</i> pathogens: <i>Pythium insidiosum</i>, <i>Lagenidium giganteum</i> f. <i>caninum,</i> and <i>Paralagenidium karlingii</i>.

Microbiology spectrum·2025

Same author

Geographical distribution of human pythiosis in the USA.

Microbiology spectrum·2024

Same journal

A divalent nanoparticle vaccine confers robust protective immunity against serotype O FMDV and SVA in pigs.

Veterinary microbiology·2026

Same journal

A Lactobacillus plantarum vaccine candidate with dendritic cell targeting and lysosome escape properities provides efficient protection against necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens.

Veterinary microbiology·2026

Same journal

Tracheal transcriptional response to challenge with virulent Mycoplasma gallisepticum in chickens spray vaccinated with the Vaxsafe MG304 live-attenuated vaccine.

Veterinary microbiology·2026

Same journal

Intermittent shedding dynamics of EHV-1 across biological matrices during a natural outbreak linked to international equestrian events.

Veterinary microbiology·2026

Same journal

Development of a replication-restricted, esterase-deficient influenza D virus as a live vaccine candidate.

Veterinary microbiology·2026

Same journal

Co-infection with CAV facilitates ALV-K replication and induces severe immunosuppression in chickens.

Veterinary microbiology·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 9, 2026

Detection of Phytophthora capsici in Irrigation Water using Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification

Detection of Phytophthora capsici in Irrigation Water using Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification

Published on: June 25, 2020

Pythium insidiosum: an overview.

Wim Gaastra¹, Len J A Lipman, Arthur W A M De Cock

¹Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.

Veterinary Microbiology

|August 31, 2010

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Pythium insidiosum causes pythiosis in mammals, acquired through contaminated water. This emerging disease, prevalent in tropical regions, presents various forms and requires multifaceted treatment approaches.

More Related Videos

Studying Cryptosporidium Infection in 3D Tissue-derived Human Organoid Culture Systems by Microinjection

Studying Cryptosporidium Infection in 3D Tissue-derived Human Organoid Culture Systems by Microinjection

Published on: September 14, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 9, 2026

Detection of Phytophthora capsici in Irrigation Water using Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification

Detection of Phytophthora capsici in Irrigation Water using Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification

Published on: June 25, 2020

Studying Cryptosporidium Infection in 3D Tissue-derived Human Organoid Culture Systems by Microinjection

Studying Cryptosporidium Infection in 3D Tissue-derived Human Organoid Culture Systems by Microinjection

Published on: September 14, 2019

Area of Science:

Veterinary Mycology
Infectious Diseases
Oomycete Pathogens

Background:

Pythium insidiosum is an oomycete pathogen affecting mammals, including horses, dogs, and humans.
The infection, known as pythiosis, is acquired through contact with contaminated water containing zoospores or hyphae, typically via small wounds.
Despite being described as emerging, pythiosis has been documented since 1884, primarily in tropical and subtropical regions.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide a comprehensive overview of Pythium insidiosum infections in mammals.
To detail the various clinical forms of pythiosis based on the site of infection.
To discuss current therapeutic strategies and challenges in disease prevention.

Main Methods:

Literature review of Pythium insidiosum and pythiosis.
Analysis of epidemiological data and clinical presentations.
Synthesis of information on treatment modalities and preventive measures.

Main Results:

Pythiosis manifests in cutaneous, vascular, ocular, gastrointestinal, and rarely systemic forms.
The infection is not contagious, with no reported cases of animal-to-animal or animal-to-human transmission.
Therapeutic interventions involve radical surgery, antifungal medications, immunotherapy, or combined approaches.

Conclusions:

Pythium insidiosum poses a significant threat to mammalian health, particularly in endemic areas.
Effective prevention is challenging due to the pathogen's presence in soil and grass.
Integrated treatment strategies are crucial for managing diverse clinical presentations of pythiosis.