Human protothecosis: A case report in northeastern Brazil

Human Protothecosis: Case Report of a Rare Algal Infection

“…The patient in the study contracted the algae at the forearm level, one of the areas of disease onset described in the scientific literature, due to the ease of trauma and entry point. Differential diagnoses to consider include deep mycoses, malignant neoplasms, eczema, atrophic keratosis pilaris, anetoderma, vermiculate atrophoderma, herpesvirus infections, and pyoderma gangrenosum [1,3,4].…”

“…Protothecosis is a rare disease caused by infection with achlorophyllic algae of the genus Prototheca, capable of triggering illnesses in patients with weakened immune systems, especially in diabetic patients, those on chronic corticosteroid therapy, transplant recipients, individuals with malignant diseases, and Human Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV) [1,2]. The primary manifestation of the infection typically involves cutaneous involvement, with the presence of papules and erythematous plaques, as well as tumors and even chronic ulcers, including subcutaneous nodules [1][2][3][4]. In the literature, there are few documented cases of human infection worldwide by Prototheca, and even scarcer are the details regarding dermatoscopy, a useful tool in clinical practice for patient assessment and diagnostic hypothesis formulation.…”

Simultaneous infection with Fusarium proliferatum and Prototheca wickerhamii localized at different body sites

“…There are some reports about the infection of Fusarium proliferatum or Prototheca wickerhamii in humans [ [3] , [4] , [5] , [6] ] [ [3] , [4] , [5] , [6] ] [ [3] , [4] , [5] , [6] ], but the study presents the first case of both fungi co-infection in a patient as we know. Fusarium is a filamentous fungus widely found on plants and soil.…”

“…Prototheca wickerhamii is the most mainly responsible for human infections which belongs to the genus Prototheca [ 2 ]. Both are susceptible to infections in immunocompromised populations [ 1 , 3 ]. We herein describe an 81-year-old Chinese woman who has taken oral methylprednisolone tablets for 10 years with Fusarium proliferatum and Prototheca wickerhamii co-infection that showed great improvement after the systemic use of voriconazole.…”