Prototheca wickerhamii
Prototheca wickerhamii is a species of algae that is known to cause protothecosis, a rare infection in humans and animals.
Pronunciation
The pronunciation of Prototheca wickerhamii is /ˌproʊtəˈθiːkə wɪkərˈhæmiːaɪ/.
Etymology
The genus name Prototheca comes from the Greek words protos meaning first and theca meaning case. The species name wickerhamii is named after Dr. Lynferd J. Wickerham, a mycologist who made significant contributions to the study of yeasts and other fungi.
Description
Prototheca wickerhamii is a unicellular, achlorophyllic, and non-photosynthetic algae. It is a member of the family Chlorellaceae and is closely related to the green algae Chlorella. It is known to cause protothecosis, a rare infection that can affect both humans and animals. The infection can manifest in cutaneous, systemic, or disseminated forms.
Pathogenesis
Prototheca wickerhamii is an opportunistic pathogen. It can cause infection when the host's immune system is compromised. The organism is found in various environmental sources including soil, sewage, and contaminated water. Infection can occur through direct contact with these sources.
Treatment
Treatment of protothecosis caused by Prototheca wickerhamii often involves a combination of surgical debridement and antifungal therapy. The antifungal agents amphotericin B, itraconazole, and fluconazole have been used with varying degrees of success.
See also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Prototheca wickerhamii
- Wikipedia's article - Prototheca wickerhamii
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