Human Cutaneous Protothecosis: Report of a Case and Literature Review.
- Author:
Jae Yeon SEOK
1
;
Yoonho LEE
;
Hyukmin LEE
;
Sang Yeop YI
;
Hwa Eun OH
;
Ji Sun SONG
Author Information
1. Department of Pathology, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Korea.
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Prototheca;
Cutaneous protothecosis;
Prototheca zopfii
- MeSH:
Aged;
Biopsy;
Bursitis;
Dermis;
Humans*;
Inflammation;
Necrosis;
Olecranon Process;
Prototheca;
Wrist
- From:Korean Journal of Pathology
2013;47(6):575-578
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The Prototheca species is achlorophyllic algae and rarely causes human infection. Human protothecosis presents clinically as a cutaneous infection, olecranon bursitis, and disseminated systemic disease. We report a case of human cutaneous protothecosis involving the left wrist. A 68-year-old man presented with an ill-defined erythematous lesion with crust at the dorsal aspect of his left wrist. A punch biopsy was performed to reveal the histologic features of granulomatous inflammation with necrosis at the upper dermis, containing Prototheca organisms, of which, the characteristic features were highlighted by special staining. Through a molecular study, the Prototheca zopfii species was identified.
