Case report of cutaneous protothecosis caused by Prototheca wickerhamii designated as genotype 2 and current status of human protothecosis in Japan.

Abstract

An 85-year-old Japanese woman presented with infiltrative erythema and ulceration on the extensor surface of her right forearm. Direct microscopic examination demonstrated spherical and morula-like sporangia, while histopathology revealed numerous microorganisms with a mulberry-like appearance in the dermis. Staining of the microorganisms also showed mulberry-like sporangia that resembled the spokes of a wheel. The isolated yeast-like microorganism had been identified as Prototheca wickerhamii genotype 2 in another independent study on the basis of its morphological, biochemical and genetic analysis. This case of protothecosis was recorded in Kyushu, Japan, and oral treatment with itraconazole 200 mg/day for 2 months was effective. Herein, we also summarize and analyze 39 cases of human protothecosis reported in Japan since the first record in 1983.

• Authors: Maki Inoue, Azusa Miyashita, Hiromitsu Noguchi, Noriyuki Hirose, Kazuko Nishimura, Michiaki Masuda, Hironobu Ihn
• Journal: The Journal of dermatology (J Dermatol) Vol. 45 Issue 1 Pg. 67-71 (Jan 2018) ISSN: 1346-8138 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 28815731 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2017 Japanese Dermatological Association.

Topics

• Aged, 80 and over
• Female
• Humans
• Japan
• Prototheca (genetics, isolation & purification)
• Skin Diseases, Infectious (microbiology)