title: Protothecosis.
abstract: Protothecosis is an infection caused by achlorophyllic algae of the genus Prototheca which rarely affects humans. Some 100 cases have been described in the medical literature, the majority caused by the species P. wickerhamii. The skin is the organ most frequently involved. Diagnosis is performed by isolation of the microorganism in culture or by histopathology. The ideal treatment has not been defined, with amphotericin B and the azoles having been employed. Surgical excision is recommended for small, localized lesions. We describe a case of cutaneous protothecosis on the right fourth finger of a female patient 59 years old with no underlying disease. Administration of itraconazole 400 mg/day for 6 weeks failed to produce an adequate clinical response. Treatment was then changed to fluconazole 200 mg/day, with regression of the lesion.
authors.affiliation: Mycology Service, Evandro Chagas Institute of Clinical Research, IPEC/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. leimann@centroin.com.br
authors.forename: Beatriz Consuelo Quinet
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Leimann
authors.forename: Paulo Cezar Fialho
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Monteiro
authors.forename: Márcia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lazéra
authors.forename: Eduardo R Ulloa
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Candanoza
authors.forename: Bodo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wanke
mesh_terms: D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011525:Prototheca; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012874:Skin Diseases, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D000666:Amphotericin B