Protothecosis in Dogs and Cats-New Research Directions

Protothecosis refers to disease of humans and animals caused by infection with fungus-like, colourless microalgae of the genus Prototheca. Although protothecosis remains an uncommon infection, increasing numbers of human and animal cases are being diagnosed worldwide. This review summarises major new findings in basic science (sequencing analyses of sterol 14 alpha-demethylase (CYP51/ERG11) genes and organelle genomes of Prototheca wickerhamii) to elucidate taxonomic features of this pathogen. Furthermore, this review updates and summarises the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of protothecosis in dogs and cats. This content of this review is based on information presented at the medical phycology symposium held in the 20th Congress of the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology (https://www.isham.org/).

Automated summary

Protothecosis is a disease of humans and animals caused by infection with fungus-like, colourless microalgae of the genus Prototheca. While still uncommon, there is an increasing number of diagnosed cases worldwide. This review summarizes new findings in basic science and clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of protothecosis in dogs and cats based on information presented at a medical phycology symposium.