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Prototheca Infections and Ecology from a One Health Perspective
Balázs Libisch1, Carine Picot2, Andrés Ceballos-Garzon2
1Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary.
Abstract:
Prototheca microalgae were only recognized as pathogens of both humans and animals in the 1960s; however, since then, these microbes have been drawing increasing interest in both human and veterinary medicine. The first human outbreak of protothecosis in a tertiary care chemotherapy ward in 2018 further highlighted the need to understand in more depth and detail their ecology, etiology, pathogenesis and routes of transmission between different hosts, environments and habitats from a One Health perspective. Protothecal infections have been reported in a growing number of cattle herds around the world in recent decades, and Prototheca has become an important bovine mastitis pathogen in certain countries and regions. The survival of Prototheca in the environment and its ability to spread in the herd pose a serious challenge to the management of infected dairy farms. Prevention of the disease is particularly important, as there is no effective and reliable treatment for it and the chances of self-healing are minimal. Therefore, the development of more effective drugs is needed for the treatment of human and animal protothecosis. The prudent use of antibiotics and their replacement by alternative or preventive measures, when possible, may further contribute to the control of protothecal infections.
Insights
Prototheca microalgae cause infections in humans and animals, necessitating a One Health approach. Understanding their transmission and developing effective treatments are crucial for managing protothecal infections in both human and veterinary medicine.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- One Health
Background:
- Prototheca microalgae, recognized as pathogens since the 1960s, are gaining attention in human and veterinary medicine.
- The 2018 human outbreak of protothecosis emphasized the need for deeper understanding of Prototheca's ecology, pathogenesis, and transmission.
- Prototheca is an emerging bovine mastitis pathogen, posing challenges for dairy farm management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the growing significance of Prototheca infections in both human and animal health.
- To underscore the importance of a One Health perspective in studying Prototheca's ecology, etiology, pathogenesis, and transmission.
- To emphasize the urgent need for developing effective treatments for human and animal protothecosis.
Main Methods:
- Review and synthesis of existing literature on Prototheca infections.
- Analysis of epidemiological data regarding Prototheca outbreaks and prevalence.
- Discussion of challenges in disease management and treatment strategies.
Main Results:
- Prototheca infections are increasingly reported in cattle, becoming a significant cause of bovine mastitis.
- Environmental survival and herd transmission of Prototheca present major challenges for dairy farms.
- Current treatment options for protothecosis are limited, with minimal self-healing potential.
Conclusions:
- Effective disease prevention and management strategies are critical due to the lack of reliable treatments for protothecosis.
- Further research into Prototheca's biology and transmission is essential for developing targeted interventions.
- Development of novel therapeutic agents and exploration of alternative preventive measures are necessary for controlling Prototheca infections.
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