Protothecal peritonitis in child after bone marrow transplantation: case report and literature review of paediatric cases. Issue 6 (14th September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sykora, T.; Horakova, J.; Buzzasyova, D.; Sladekova, M.; Poczova, M.; Sufliarska, S.
• Is Part Of: New microbes and new infections. Volume 2:Issue 6(2014)
• Page Start: 156
• Page End: 160
• Publication Date: 2014-09-14
• Subjects: Medical microbiology -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Infection -- Periodicals; Microbiology -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Infection -- Periodicals; 616.9041
• DOI: 10.1002/nmi2.61
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2052-2975

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="nmi261-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>The case presented here illustrates a protothecal infection caused by <italic>Prototheca wickerhamii</italic> in a paediatric haematopoietic stem cell recipient followed by a review of the literature of all 13 paediatric cases published since 1980. Protothecosis is a rare disease caused by algae, not described in this setting before. Infection was proven additionally post‐mortem from peritoneal dialysis fluid. Even though no death of a paediatric patient due to this infection has been reported and the mortality rate associated with protothecosis is low, our patient died from multiorgan failure as a result of numerous post‐transplant complications and a strain of cultivated alga that was highly resistant to antifungal agents. <italic>Prototheca</italic> spp. show various susceptibility profiles, and there is no direct correlation between <italic>in vitro</italic> activity and clinical response. There are different treatment regimens described but there are no clear published guidelines of specific therapy of protothecosis. Paediatric cases were successfully treated mostly with amphotericin B and azoles. As the number of immunocompromised patients increases, it is necessary to think more about unusual pathogens such as <italic>Prototheca</italic>.</p> </abstract>