Successful treatment of cutaneous protothecosis with liposomal amphotericin and oral itraconazole

Abstract

Protothecosis is a rare algal infection, affecting primarily immunocompromised hosts. Optimal management is unclear: in-vitro antimicrobial breakpoints are not established and therapeutic decisions are primarily based on case reports. We present a case of cutaneous Prototheca wickerhamii infection in an immunosuppressed 63 year old male, successfully treated with liposomal amphotericin and prolonged itraconazole. Inoculation may have been through frequent hot-tub use, highlighting hot-tub exposure as an infection risk for the immunocompromised host.

Keywords

• Prototheca wickerhamii
• Protothecosis
• Cutaneous
• Liposomal amphotericin
• Itraconazole