What is protothecosis?
Protothecosis is a rare infection caused by achlorophyllic algae that are members of the genus Prototheca. They are ubiquitous in nature in organic material. The clinical manifestations can be acute or chronic and local or disseminated.
What causes protothecosis?
Protothecosis, otherwise known as Algaemia, is a disease found in dogs, cats, cattle, and humans caused by a type of green alga known as Prototheca that lacks chlorophyll and enters the human or animal bloodstream.
Is Prototheca contagious?
Canine protothecosis is an uncommon disease caused by a type of algae. It can cause severe gastrointestinal (GI) disease. It can also affect the skin, the eyes, or the whole body. The organism may infect human beings as well as dogs, cats, and cattle, but it does not spread between animals and people.
Which algae is pathogenic to human?
Prototheca
Prototheca are a type of green alga that lack chlorophyll, that can infect mammals including humans causing the disease protothecosis.
Who discovered Protothecosis?
The first description of human infection attributed to Prototheca species was made by Davies and colleagues in 1964 (36). Most such infections are probably caused by traumatic inoculation into subcutaneous tissues.
Who discovered Prototheca?
Since its discovery in 1894 by Krüger, the taxonomic classification of Prototheca has been discussed controversially (Krüger, 1894). On the one hand, because of their yeast-like appearance when cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar and their staining patterns, they were considered to be fungal-like organisms.
How is Protothecosis treated?
Usually, treatment involves medical and surgical approaches; treatment failure is not uncommon. Antifungals such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, and amphotericin B are the most commonly used drugs to date. Among them, amphotericin B displays the best activity against Prototheca spp.
How can Protothecosis be prevented?
There’s no easy way to prevent Prototheca infections. In studies of herds where Protothecal mastitis has occurred, the organism has at some time been cultured from virtually every area of the dairy farm, including pasture soil, milk parlour wash water, cow drinking troughs, forage, calf manure and cow manure.
How have algae contributed to our understanding of human disease?
Scientists have identified an unusual species of pathogenic algae that causes human skin infections. The finding should improve our understanding of how rare species of algae are sometimes able to cause serious disease in humans and animals.
Can algae grow on human skin?
Growing within the patient’s skin, algae produce inflammatory granulomatous lesions, which have to be differentiated from deep fungal and mycobacterial infections. In cases of severe immunodeficiency, visceral dissemination or even sepsis may follow local cutaneous infection.
Can algae infect humans?
Infection by unicellular green algae has not been described in humans. A case is reported in a 30-year-old woman who developed persistent infection of a healing operative wound on the dorsum of the right foot, after possible contamination by river water while canoeing. The wound was debrided 2 months later.
Who discovered Prototheca Wickerhamii?
Can algae cause infections?
Some cyanobacteria (also called blue-green algae) and algae can produce toxins that can make people and animals sick.
Why is algae so important?
They play a vital role in aquatic ecosystems by forming the energy base of the food web for all aquatic organisms. As autotrophic organisms, algae convert water and carbon dioxide to sugar through the process of photosynthesis.
What is the importance of algae?
Algae provide much of Earth’s oxygen, serve as the food base for almost all aquatic life, and provide foods and industrial products, including petroleum products. Their photosynthetic pigments are more varied than those of plants, and their cells have features not found among plants and animals.
Is algae safe to drink?
Drinking algae-affected water or consuming food (such as fish or shellfish) containing toxins can lead to gastroenteritis, which can induce vomiting, diarrhoea, fevers and headaches. These toxins may also affect the liver or nervous system. If you are concerned for your health, see your GP immediately.
Can algae grow in your body?
Fast Facts: Scientists have discovered that some healthy people carry in their throats a green algae virus previously thought to be non-infectious to humans.
Can algae grow on skin?
What can algae do to humans?
Exposure to high levels of blue-green algae and their toxins can cause diarrhea, nausea or vomiting; skin, eye or throat irritation; and allergic reactions or breathing difficulties.
Protothecosis is an uncommon cutaneous or systemic disease caused by Prototheca species, which are unicellular algae.
Is Prototheca wickerhamii an algae or a parasite?
It and its close relative Helicosporidium are unusual in that they are actually green algae that have become parasites. The two most common species are Prototheca wickerhamii and Prototheca zopfii.
Where is Prototheca found in the environment?
Prototheca is found worldwide in sewage and soil. Infection is rare despite high exposure, and can be related to a defective immune system. In dogs, females and Collies are most commonly affected. The first human case was identified in 1964 in Sierra Leone.
Is protothecaspecies achlorophyllic?
These organisms are generally considered to be achlorophyllic algae and are ubiquitous in nature (55). The first description of human infection attributed to Protothecaspecies was made by Davies and colleagues in 1964 (36). Most such infections are probably caused by traumatic inoculation into subcutaneous tissues.