A Case of Cutaneous Protothecosis.
- Author:
Jin Hyouk CHOI
1
;
Moo Kyu SUH
;
Dong Ju SHIN
;
Jin Chun SUH
;
Jung Sub YEUM
;
Ho Chung LEE
;
Sung Wook LIM
;
Yeon Jin KIM
;
Jeong Woo LEE
;
Gyoung Yim HA
;
Jung Ran KIM
;
Gun Yoen NA
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Dongguk University, Kyongju, Korea. mksuhmd@hanmail.net
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Cutaneous protothecosis;
Prototheca wickerhamii
- MeSH:
Aged;
Biopsy;
Dermis;
Female;
Forearm;
Humans;
Itraconazole;
Plastids;
Prototheca;
Skin;
Soft Tissue Infections;
Sporangia;
Spores;
Ulcer
- From:Korean Journal of Dermatology
2002;40(9):1116-1120
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Protothecosis is an unusual cutaneous soft tissue infection caused by the Prototheca, which is a genus of the unicelluar, achloric algae. We report a case of cutaneous protothecosis in a 66-year-old female, who showed erythematous, purulent patches and plaques with ulcerations on the right forearm for 2 months. Biopsy specimen revealed the characteristic thick-walled morulalike sporangia in the dermis. Prototheca wickerhamii was isolated in the culture and the biochemical study. Electron microscopic examination showed the thick-walled spores containing dark dense bodies and amyloplasts. After two months of oral itraconazole 200mg/day, skin lesions were improved.
