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 organism causes protothecosis?
Human protothecosis is a rare infection caused by members of the genus Prototheca. These organisms are generally considered to be achlorophyllic algae and are ubiquitous in nature (55).
Is Protothecosis an algal infection?
Protothecosis is a rare infection in humans caused by achlorophyllic algae belonging to the genus Prototheca. Infections have involved skin, subcutaneous tissue, olecranon bursa, and lymph nodes or deep organs3–7; meningitis and algeamia are reported in severely immunocompromised individuals.
Can algae cause infection in humans?
Their lack of chlorophyll makes them dependent on other sources of energy and has, historically, been hypothesized to be related to their tendency to infect mammals. Still, true green algae have also been demonstrated, often at autopsy or necropsy, to cause human and animal infection.
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.
How do dogs get Prototheca?
Prototheca organisms can be found in abundance in nature in sources such as raw or treated sewage, the slime flux of trees, animal waste, soil, food, and flowing or standing water.
Which diseases are caused by algae?
Types of illness that can be caused by eating seafood contaminated with toxins from harmful algae:
- Ciguatera Fish Poisoning (CFP)
- Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning (NSP)
- Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP)
- Domoic Acid Poisoning and Amnesiac Shellfish Poisoning (ASP)
- Diarrheic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP)
What vitamins are in algae?
According to Becker et al., microalgae are excellent sources of vitamins such as vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C and E and minerals such as potassium, iron, magnesium, calcium and iodine [12].
Which algae is pathogenic to human?
Prototheca algae is pathogenic to human.
How do you treat Prototheca in dogs?
If the cutaneous form of protothecosis is found, the most frequent treatment recommended is the surgical removal of any skin lesions associated with the disease in addition to drug therapy.
Is Prototheca pathogenic to humans?
This disease is caused by a nonpigmented algae of the genus Prototheca. Two members of the species are pathogenic in humans, Prototheca wickerhamii (2 to 12 µm) and Prototheca zopfii (10 to 25 µm).
What is the harmful effect of algae?
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. Pet and livestock illness/deaths can happen if animals consume large amounts of water containing blooms, scums or benthic mats.