title: Protothecosis in human medicine.
abstract: Prototheca spp. are ubiquitous achlorophyllous algae that produce disease in humans and animals. In the past years infections with Prototheca have obtained increasing importance in human medicine. The cases have been classified into three clinical forms: cutaneous and/or subcutaneous infection, synovitis of olecranon bursa or other fibrous tissue and systemic infection. Patients with a mild degree of immunosuppression may become colonized by Prototheca spp. with a subsequent worsening of their immune surveillance and spread of the disease. Among the numerous pharmacologic agents tried, amphotericin B is the most promising. Successful treatment of protothecosis involves radical excision of the involved structures.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Thiele
authors.forename: Armin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bergmann
mesh_terms: D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007239:Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D011525:Prototheca / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D011634:Public Health; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D013585:Synovitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000666:Amphotericin B