Protothecosis, caused by Prototheca zopfii or P. wickerhamii, is an emergent disease of human and animals. In cattle, P. zopfii is an important cause of environmental mastitis. In dogs and cats protothecosis is caused mainly by P. zopfii, causing cutaneous infections or a systemic form affecting many organs in dogs, and cutaneous infection affecting mainly the skin of the face and nose in cats. In humans, protothecosis, caused mainly by P. wickerhamii, occurs in three forms: cutaneous; olecran bursitis; and disseminated. The lesion is usually localized in the site of inoculation in immunocompetent individuals; however, in immunocompromised patients, it can become widespread. Protothecosis caused by P. wickerhamii was recently reported in goats causing rhinitis and dermatitis of the face and pinna. This paper reviews microbiologic characteristics and susceptibility to antimicrobials of Prototheca spp., and the epidemiology, clinical signs, pathology, diagnosis, treatment and control of protothecosis.
Prototheca; protothecosis; mastitis; bovines; dogs; cats; goats; human
