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. It and its close relative Helicosporidium are unusual in that they are actually green algae that have become parasites.[1] The two most common species are Prototheca wickerhamii and Prototheca zopfii. Both are known to cause disease in dogs, while most human cases are caused by P. wickerhami.[2] Prototheca is found worldwide in sewage and soil. Infection is rare despite high exposure, and can be related to a defective immune system.[3] In dogs, females and Collies are most commonly affected.[4]

Protothecosis
Histologic stain of a Prototheca zopfii infection in a dog
SpecialtyInfectious diseases 

The first human case was identified in 1964 in Sierra Leone.[5]

Cause
Photomicrograph of Prototheca wickerhamii infection in a human. Note the floret-like arrangements. Hematoxylin and eosin stain.
Photomicrograph of Prototheca wickerhamii infection in a human. Note the floret-like arrangements. Gomori methenamine silver(GMS) stain.
Photomicrograph of Prototheca wickerhamii infection in a human. Note the floret-like arrangements. Periodic acid-Schiff(PAS) stain.

Prototheca has been thought to be a mutant of Chlorella, a type of single-celled green alga. However, while Chlorella contains galactose and galactosamine in the cell wall, Prototheca lacks these. Also, Chlorella obtains its energy through photosynthesis, while Prototheca is saprotrophic, feeding on dead and decaying organic matter. When Prototheca was first isolated from slime flux of trees in 1894, it was thought to be a type of fungus.[6] Its size varies from 2 to 15 micrometres.[7]

Treatment

Treatment with amphotericin B has been reported.[8]

In cattle

Cattle can be affected by protothecal enteritis and mastitis.[9] Protothecal mastitis is endemic worldwide, although most cases of infected herds have been reported in Germany, the United States, and Brazil.[10]

In dogs

Disseminated protothecosis is most commonly seen in dogs. The algae enters the body through the mouth or nose and causes infection in the intestines. From there it can spread to the eye, brain, and kidneys. Symptoms can include diarrhea, weight loss, weakness, inflammation of the eye (uveitis), retinal detachment, ataxia, and seizures.[11]

Dogs with acute blindness and diarrhea that develop exudative retinal detachment should be assessed for protothecosis.[6] Diagnosis is through culture or finding the organism in a biopsy, cerebrospinal fluid, vitreous humour, or urine. Treatment of the disseminated form in dogs is very difficult, although use of antifungal medication has been successful in a few cases.[4] Prognosis for cutaneous protothecosis is guarded and depends on the surgical options. Prognosis for the disseminated form is grave. This may be due to delayed recognition and treatment.[3]

See also

References
  1. Tartar A, Boucias DG, Adams BJ, Becnel JJ (2002). "Phylogenetic analysis identifies the invertebrate pathogen Helicosporidium sp as a green alga (Chlorophyta)". Int J Syst Evol Microbiol. 52 (Pt 1): 273–9. doi:10.1099/00207713-52-1-273. PMID 11837312.
  2. Leimann B, Monteiro P, Lazéra M, Candanoza E, Wanke B (2004). "Protothecosis". Med Mycol. 42 (2): 95–106. doi:10.1080/13695780310001653653. PMID 15124862.
  3. Hosaka S, Hosaka M (2004). "A case report of canine protothecosis". J Vet Med Sci. 66 (5): 593–7. doi:10.1292/jvms.66.593. PMID 15187378.
  4. Ettinger, Stephen J.; Feldman, Edward C. (1995). Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine (4th ed.). W.B. Saunders Company. ISBN 978-0-7216-6795-9.
  5. Lass-Flörl C, Fille M, Gunsilius E, Gastl G, Nachbaur D (2004). "Disseminated infection with Prototheca zopfii after unrelated stem cell transplantation for leukemia". J. Clin. Microbiol. 42 (10): 4907–8. doi:10.1128/JCM.42.10.4907-4908.2004. PMC 522359. PMID 15472379.
  6. Hollingsworth S (2000). "Canine protothecosis". Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 30 (5): 1091–101. doi:10.1016/S0195-5616(00)05008-7. PMID 11033876.
  7. Lee W, Lagios M, Leonards R (1975). "Wound infection by Prototheca wickerhamii, a saprophytic alga pathogenic for man". J Clin Microbiol. 2 (1): 62–6. PMC 274126. PMID 1225929.
  8. Mohabeer, A. J.; Kaplan, P. J.; Southern Jr, P. M.; Gander, R. M. (1997). "Algaemia due to Prototheca wickerhamii in a patient with myasthenia gravis". Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 35 (12): 3305–3307. PMC 230169. PMID 9399541.
  9. Osterstock J, Mansell J, Roussel A (2005). "Protothecal enteritis as a cause of protein-losing enteropathy in a bull". J Am Vet Med Assoc. 227 (9): 1476–9, 1418. doi:10.2460/javma.2005.227.1476. PMID 16279394.
  10. Roesler U, Hensel A (2003). "Longitudinal analysis of Prototheca zopfii-specific immune responses: correlation with disease progression and carriage in dairy cows". J Clin Microbiol. 41 (3): 1181–6. doi:10.1128/JCM.41.3.1181-1186.2003. PMC 150299. PMID 12624049.
  11. Gionfriddo, Juliet R. (March 2007). "An unusual cause of blindness in a Siberian husky". Veterinary Medicine. 102 (3): 172–178.
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