Successful treatment of cutaneous protothecosis with fluconazole: A case report and epidemiology study of Prototheca infection in China

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundProtothecosis is an infection of humans and animals caused by a rare conditionally pathogenic fungus (prototheca). It can occur in immunocompromised or normal patients.AimsTo describe the epidemiology of prototheca infection in China.MethodsWe report a case of successful treatment of cutaneous protothecosis with fluconazole and analyzed the epidemiological characteristics, risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of prototheca infections in China.ResultsWe describe this case and 29 cases of prototheca infections in China. At present, Prototheca wickerhamii (Pw) infection is the most common infection in China, and single or combined itraconazole is the preferred treatment.ConclusionsThese results provide detailed information and relevant clinical treatment strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of protothecosis in China.