Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Prototheca”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Meningitis due to Prototheca wickerhamii in a patient with AIDS.

The first documented case of algal meningitis due to Prototheca wickerhamii is reported in a patient with AIDS. The initial CSF culture yielded only Cryptococcus neoformans. P. wickerhamii was isolated on four subsequent lumbar punctures. The patient died, and at autopsy the alga was isolated from leptomeninges over the brain and about the spinal cord. Histologic sections from numerous locations of the brain revealed masses of cryptococci and prototheca.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1996

[Fluconazole and itraconazole susceptibility testing with clinical yeast isolates and algae of the genus Prototheca by means of the Etest].

Preliminary own results suggest, that the Etest (produced by AB BIODISK, Solna, Sweden) performed on casitone medium meets the requirements of a routine test of yeast susceptibility to fluconazole and itraconazole. Testing of 46 clinical yeast isolates, of 5 strains of Exophiala dermatitidis and 4 strains of algae of the genus Prototheca revealed species-, genus- and strain-specific variations of the susceptibility to fluconazole and itraconazole. Candida glabrata was less susceptible to both triazoles than the other Candida species with exception of Candida krusei. Exophiala dermatitidis was highly susceptible to itraconazole. Prototheca wickerhamii and P. zopfii were resistant to both triazoles. Casitone medium is most appropriate for the determination of susceptibility to fluconazole and itraconazole by the Etest. The results of the Etest were comparable with those of a breakpoint test (microdilution method).

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMed1998

[Differentiation and characterization of yeasts pathogenic for humans (Candida albicans, Exophiala dermatitidis) and algae pathogenic for animals (Prototheca spp.) using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) in comparison with conventional methods].

Due to the Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) of strain specific traits demonstrated to be a suitable and efficient method for diagnostic and epidemiological determinations for the yeasts Candida albicans, Exophiala dermatitidis and the chlorophylless algae of the genus Prototheca. FT-IR leads in a rapid and economical way to reproducible results according to the spectral differences of intact cells (IR-fingerprints). Different genera, species and sub-species respectively, different strains can be recognized and grouped into different clusters and subclusters. The FT-IR analysis of Candida albicans isolates (n = 150) of 22 newborns-at-risk of an intensive care unit showed, that 86% of the children were colonised with several (2-4) different strains in the oral cavities and faeces. Stationary cross-infections could definitely be determined. Exophiala dermatitidis isolates (n = 31), mostly isolated repetitively within a period of 3 years from sputa of patients suffering from cystic fibrosis could be characterized and grouped patient-specifically over the total sampling period. Of 6 from 8 patients (75%) their individual strains remain the same and could be tracked over the three years. Cross-infections during the stationary treatment could be clearly identified by FT-IR. The Prototheca isolate (n = 43) from live-stock and farm environment showed clear distinguishable clusters differentiating the species P. wickerhamii, P. zopfii and P. stagnora. In addition, the biotypes of P. zopfii could be distinguished, especially the subclusters of variants II and III. It could be demonstrated, that FT-IR is suitable for the routine identification and differentiation of yeasts and algae. However, in spite of the gain of knowledge by using FT-IR for the characterization of microorganisms, the conventional phenotyping and/or genetic analysis of yeast or algae strains cannot be replaced completely. For a final taxonomic classification a combination of conventional methods on FT-IR together with more sophisticated molecular genetic procedures is necessary.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Rapid identification of Prototheca species by the API 20C system.

The conventional auxanographic method of testing for the assimilation of carbohydrates and alcohols by the various species of Prototheca requires at least 2 weeks of incubation at 25 to 30 degrees C before definitive results are obtained. Even though Prototheca spp., in culture as well as in fixed tissues, can be identified more rapidly by fluorescent-antibody techniques in which species-specific reagents are used, such diagnostic facilities and reagents are not available in most diagnostic laboratories. The API 20C clinical yeast identification system, a commercially available ready-to-use micromethod, was found to permit the definitive identification of P. stagnora, P. wickerhamii, and P. zopfii within 4 days.

Carbohydrate Metabolism↗
PubMed2001

Immunodiagnostic identification of dairy cows infected with Prototheca zopfii at various clinical stages and discrimination between infected and uninfected cows.

Protothecosis is a severe form of mastitis in cattle that is caused by colorless algae of the genus Prototheca. So far, no suitable serological test for the identification of infected animals is available for routine diagnosis. In this study an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the identification of infected cows and for discriminating among infected cows at various clinical stages was developed. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) in serum and IgA and IgG1 in whey were used as antibody isotypes. The ELISA was evaluated using serum and whey from animals at different clinical stages of infection. A total of 12 cows with acute clinical manifestation of protothecal mastitis, 22 cows with clinical signs of chronic mastitis, 40 Prototheca zopfii-negative cows, and 18 cows with chronic clinical signs and earlier cultures positive for P. zopfii but with presently negative culturing results were investigated. A sensitivity of 96% and a specificity of 94% were calculated for the ELISA based on IgA levels. Intra-assay and interassay variations were calculated to be 6.08 and 6.32%, respectively. Based on these data, this ELISA was found to be suitable for discrimination between infected and uninfected animals and might therefore be useful for screening affected herds.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Prototheca wickerhamii tenosynovitis.

Prototheca wickerhamii is an algae-like organism rarely implicated in skin or soft tissue infections. We describe the first case (to our knowledge) of Prototheca tenosynovitis which followed median nerve release for carpal tunnel syndrome. Clinical presentation, operative findings, histopathology, microbiology and treatment of this unusual infection are discussed.

Amphotericin B↗
PubMed1998

Identification of Prototheca from bovine mastitis in Denmark.

In the present study, algal isolates recovered during the period 1991 through 1996 from Danish cases of bovine mastitis were characterized and identified. Sixteen isolates of Prototheca were obtained, all of which were identified as Prototheca zopfii according to assimilation pattern, absence of capsules and resistance to clotrimazole.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

First isolation of Prototheca species in Spain.

One-hundred forty samples of waste water were studied in search of algae of the genus Prototheca, that are potentially pathogenic to man. The samples were taken from collector outlets opening onto the Guadelquivir River. Nineteen cultures of Prototheca were isolated and identified as P. wickerhamii 9, P. zopffi 8 and P. stagnore 2. This is the first report of these algae in Spain and it is to be anticipated that these opportunist human pathogens will eventually be found to cause disease in the general population.

Chlorophyta↗
PubMed1978

Growth of Prototheca isolates on n-hexadecane and mixed-hydrocarbon substrate.

Prototheca zopfii, an achlorphyllous alga, was capable of using hydrocarbons as sole carbon and energy source. The ability of P. zopfii to use hydrocarbons did not correlate with source of isolation. Seventy-five percent of the P. zopfii cultures recovered from sewage, plants, or animals utilized hydrocarbons. Other Prototheca species and P. zopfii that did not utilize hydrocarbons were isolated simultaneously from several sources with isolates that did use hydrocarbons. Species type rather than source of isolation was the predominant factor that determined hydrocarbon utilization.

Alkanes↗
PubMed1973

Effect of growth rate on the macromolecular composition of Prototheca zopfii, a colorless alga which divides by multiple fission.

Prototheca zopfii, a eukaryote that divides by multiple fission, was investigated to determine how growth rate controls daughter cell number. The macromolecular composition, cell size, and number of nuclei per cell were determined in cultures during balanced growth in various media. Cellular mass, ribonucleic acid (RNA), deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), carbohydrate, and nuclear number increased as positive linear functions of growth rate, whereas nuclear ploidy remained constant with a value of 0.098 pg of DNA/nucleus. The ratios of RNA to protein, protein to mass, and carbohydrate to mass were unaffected by growth rate, whereas the ratios of DNA to protein and RNA to DNA could be expressed as curvilinear functions of growth rate, the former negative and the latter positive. The dependency of normalized gene dosage (DNA/protein) on growth rate appeared as a distinguishing feature of multiple fission. Determination of the normalized rates of protein and RNA synthesis revealed that both increase linearly with growth rate. It is concluded that Prototheca zopfii may exist in a number of physiological states which are characterized by a unique size and macromolecular composition and which are dictated by growth rate.

Carbohydrates↗
PubMed1994

Complete sequence of the mitochondrial DNA of the chlorophyte alga Prototheca wickerhamii. Gene content and genome organization.

The complete nucleotide sequence of the circular mitochondrial (mt) DNA of the chlorophyte alga Prototheca wickerhamii has been determined (55,328 base-pairs, A+T content 74.2%). The genes identified encode three subunits of the cytochome oxidase, apocytochrome b, nine subunits of the NADH dehydrogenase complex (nad1 to 7, nad4L and nad9), three ATPase subunits (atp6, atp9, atp1 (also referred to as atpA)), three ribosomal RNAs (5 S (rrn5), small subunit (srn) and large subunit (lrn) RNA), 26 tRNAs, and 13 ribosomal proteins. A total of five group I introns reside in lrn and cox1, two of which include intronic open reading frames (ORFs). Five free-standing ORFs longer than 60 codons are present. Three of these ORFs are counterparts to genes encoding proteins of unknown function in plant mitochondria (orf25 and orfB of angiosperms and orf244 of liverwort), whereas two of them are unique. Mitochondrial genes are encoded on both DNA strands in a way that suggests the existence of two transcription units, each including approximately one half of the mitochondrial genome. The two intergenic regions in which transcription is believed to initiate and terminate are about ten times longer than the other intergenic regions (1118 and 1993 nt versus 100 to 150 nt). A total of 29 recurring sequence motifs (30 to 200 nt long) have been found in intergenic regions. Nine different types of motifs are present, most of them arranged as tandem repeats. These motifs may be implicated in transcription, e.g. as signals for initiation, termination and/or processing. Phylogenetic analysis on the basis of the cox1 gene strongly suggested that P. wickerhamii and plant mitochondrial genomes are monophyletic. The finding of plant-specific mitochondrial genes such as orf25, orf244, orfB and rrn5 in P. wickerhamii mitochondria corroborates this idea.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Transcript mapping and processing of mitochondrial RNA in the chlorophyte alga Prototheca wickerhamii.

The detailed transcript map of the circular 55328 bp mitochondrial (mt) genome from the colourless chlorophycean alga Prototheca wickerhamii has been determined. On each half of this genome the genes are encoded only on one DNA strand, forming transcriptional units comprising variable numbers of genes. With the exception of four genes coding for ribosomal proteins, transcripts of the three rRNA genes and all protein-coding genes have been detected by both northern analysis and primer extension experiments. Polycistronic transcripts of protein coding and tRNA genes were verified by northern analyses, primer extension and RNAse mapping experiments. The 5' and 3' ends of different RNA species are often located in close proximity to putative stem-loop structures and some 5' termini of mRNAs coincide with the 3' end of tRNAs located immediately upstream. Transcript mapping in a putative promoter region revealed two different possible transcription initiation sites; no significant sequence homology to putative mt promoters from higher plants could be found. In addition, two out of three group I introns residing in the cox1 gene were found to be self-splicing in vitro under reaction conditions developed for related mt introns from a filamentous fungus. Mitochondrial gene expression of P. wickerhamii and of filamentous fungi has several features in common, such as intron splicing and the processing of longer polycistronic transcripts. The similarities in RNA maturation between higher-plant and P. wickerhamii mitochondria are less pronounced, since plants rarely use tRNAs as processing signals for their relatively short mitochondrial co-transcripts.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1983

In vitro activity of ribostamycin against Prototheca sp.

The in vitro activity of ribostamycin against algae of the genus Prototheca was evaluated by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) studies on solid media. Concentrations of 4 mcg/ml were required to inhibit 100% of the P. zopfii strains; 16 mcg/ml inhibited 100% of the P. stagnora strains and 95% of the P. wickerhamii strains. These values are inferior to plasma concentrations obtained after injection of ribostamycin. It is likely that this antibiotic could be effective in the treatment of protothecosis in man.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1981

[Preliminary investigation of the in vitro inhibitory effect of antibiotics on algae of the genus Prototheca].

We investigated the possible inhibitory action 'in vitro' by antibiotic containing discs against microscopic alga that are potential human pathogens of the genus Prototheca especially P. wickerhamii. The results indicated that inhibitors in vitro included amikacin, colistin, dibecacin, framicetin, gentamycin, kanamycin, lividomycin, neomycin, polymyxin, paromomycin, ribostamycin, sisomycin and tobramycin. We emphasize the interest in the effectiveness at these drugs in a case of human protothecosis.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1991

Successful treatment of Prototheca peritonitis complicating continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

We describe the second reported case of peritonitis caused by the alga Prototheca wickerhamii in a patient on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). This organism, which grows slowly on agar media, is recognised as a race cause of other infections. The condition is clinically similar to cases of fungal peritonitis, but there are important differences, particularly when choosing the best treatment.

Amphotericin B↗
PubMed1981

Prototheca wickerhamii--an alga infecting the hand.

This report describes a hand infection caused by an alga. Prototheca wickerhamii. This rare organism presents most often as chronic dermatitis or bursitis of the upper extremity. Routine stains and cultures are easily confused with fungi. Only early, radical excision of the involved structures will effect a cure.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Investigation of the beta-lactamase activity of Prototheca zopfii.

A total of 52 strains of Prototheca zopfii were studied with a series of beta-lactam compounds in order to test possible existence of beta-lactamase capable of inactivating these compounds. The method used was based on the iodimetric technique. Results showed the existence of beta-lactamase which worked in different degrees depending on the beta-lactam compounds.

Amdinocillin↗