Prototheca
blaschkeae
(Roesler et al.,
2006)
Morphology:
yeast like colonies, smooth surface and smooth margin
beige or ocher colored.
Micro morphology: round single cells (10 µm in diameter) and
some large Sporangia (20-30 µm) with round endospores inside .
Diagnostics
plate culture on fungi media, e.g. Sabouraud-glucose-agar, Kimmig-agar
subsequent microscopical examination of smears with lactophenole cotton blue
or with PAS-staining or Immunofluoreszence (pathohistology)Differentiation between P. zopfii, P. wickerhamii and P. blaschkeae by assimilation of Trehalose and Arginine. P. wickerhamii utilize trehalose; P. zopfii and P. blaschkea do not. P. blaschkeae can't utilize Arginine, whereas, both Genotypes of P. zopfii use this amino acid.
Infections:
Human protothecosis
only in exceptional cases, usually caused by P. wickerhamii
onychomycosis
Pathogenity
facultative pathogene
predisponating factors, e.g. immunosupression, are assumed
Immune response
induction of specific systemic and lokal antibodies of immunglobuline
isotypes G and Ahigh resistance to phagozytosis
Persistence and proliferation within macrophages and PMN's