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Pulmonary Protothecosis in a Pediatric Liver Transplant Patient

Ronald M R Tan1, Marion M Aw1, Seng Hock Quak1

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Khoo Teck Puat - National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Hospital, Singapore.

Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society
|December 2, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Protothecosis, an infection caused by algae, is rare in immunocompromised individuals. This study details the first pediatric liver transplant case of pulmonary protothecosis, identified alongside Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Transplant Medicine
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Immunocompromised patients face risks from diverse pathogens.
  • Protothecosis is an uncommon infection caused by algae, often overlooked clinically.
  • Early laboratory diagnosis is crucial for managing protothecosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report the first pediatric liver transplant recipient diagnosed with pulmonary protothecosis.
  • To highlight the co-occurrence of protothecosis with Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in this patient.
  • To review existing literature on protothecosis in immunocompromised populations.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of a pediatric liver transplant recipient.
  • Diagnostic identification of pulmonary protothecosis.
  • Literature review of protothecosis cases.

Main Results:

  • The study identified the first pediatric liver transplant case of pulmonary protothecosis.
  • Protothecosis was detected during treatment for Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia.
  • Literature review provided context on protothecosis in immunocompromised patients.

Conclusions:

  • Pulmonary protothecosis can occur in pediatric liver transplant recipients.
  • Co-infection with Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia is possible.
  • Increased awareness and laboratory vigilance are necessary for diagnosing protothecosis.
Keywords:
algaeamphotericin Bliver transplantopportunistic infectionprotothecosis

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