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Protothecosis in an HIV-positive patient
R H Laeng1, C Egger, T Schaffner
1Department of Pathology, University of Berne, Switzerland.
The American Journal of Surgical Pathology
|December 1, 1994
Summary
This study reports the first case of localized tendosynovial protothecosis in an HIV-positive individual. The infection, caused by Prototheca species, presented as a thumb nodule and was successfully treated with excision.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Prototheca species are ubiquitous algae that can cause opportunistic infections in humans.
- Human protothecosis typically affects the skin or subcutaneous tissues, but systemic involvement can occur.
- Localized tendosynovial protothecosis, particularly in immunocompromised hosts like those with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), is rare.