Cutaneous protothecosis and AIDS

J Am Acad Dermatol. 1994 Nov;31(5 Pt 2):920-4. doi: 10.1016/s0190-9622(94)70260-8.

Abstract

Cutaneous protothecosis is an uncommon algal infection with a varied clinical presentation that occurs mainly in immunocompromised patients. We describe a 33-year-old Hispanic woman with AIDS who had a verrucous plaque on the dorsum of her hand. A biopsy specimen revealed organisms suggestive of Prototheca. Culture confirmed the organism to be Prototheca wickerhamii. To our knowledge, this is the first case of cutaneous protothecosis reported in a patient with AIDS.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / complications*
  • Adult
  • Dermatomycoses / complications*
  • Dermatomycoses / microbiology
  • Female
  • Hand Dermatoses / complications*
  • Hand Dermatoses / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Infections
  • Prototheca / isolation & purification*