Successful ketoconazole treatment of protothecosis with ketoconazole-associated hepatotoxicity

A 46-year-old woman had a chronic, unresponsive wrist infection that was proved to be due to the algaelike organism Prototheca wickerhamii. Treatment with ketoconazole resulted in prompt improvement and ultimate healing. Therapy was complicated by hepatitis that was ketoconazole-related. Ketoconazole may be effective and easily administered therapy for this generally unresponsive infection.