Prototheca wickerhamii breast implant infection after reconstructive surgery: a new level of complexity

Abstract

We report the first published case of Prototheca wickerhamii breast implant infection. This occurred after mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, breast reconstruction, implant revisions and breast seroma aspirations and was preceded by polymicrobial infection. Definitive treatment required implant removal and intravenous liposomal amphotericin B. The management of breast prosthesis infections is discussed.

Keywords

• Prototheca wickerhamii
• Protothecosis
• Breast implant infection
• Breast reconstruction
• Surgical site infection