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Rare toxic algae identified

Date:
May 13, 2010
Source:
Society for General Microbiology
Summary:
Scientists have identified an unusual species of pathogenic algae that causes human skin infections. The finding should improve our understanding of how rare species of algae are sometimes able to cause serious disease in humans and animals.
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Scientists have identified an unusual species of pathogenic algae that causes human skin infections, described in a new study in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. The finding should improve our understanding of how rare species of algae are sometimes able to cause serious disease in humans and animals.

Researchers from Teikyo University in Tokyo isolated a previously unidentified species of microalgae from a biopsy of a human chronic skin ulcer. They named the micro-organism Prototheca cutis after comparison with other strains showed it was genetically similar to Prototheca wickerhamii -- a rare algal species that has previously been associated with causing human skin infection, septicemia, or meningitis.

Microalgae are a very diverse group of single-celled organisms that are found living in most aquatic environments on Earth. Most algae possess chloroplasts enabling them to fix sunlight into biomass through photosynthesis and are completely harmless to humans. However, Prototheca species that reside in sewage water and soil, do not photosynthesise and may occasionally cause infection in immunocompromised humans and other animals by entering open wounds. Skin infections such as discharging ulcers are the most common in humans although occasionally serious systemic infections may occur.

Dr Koichi Makimura who led the team of researchers explained that because there have been so few reported cases of algal infections in humans, effective treatment protocols have not been well-established. "Antifungal drugs are most often used to treat algal infections but are not always successful," he said. "We need to closely monitor Prototheca infections to understand their spread and mechanisms of causing disease, which are as yet unknown. This information will then help us develop appropriate treatments."

Research into pathogenic algae could also have benefits for industry. "Prototheca infection is known to cause bovine mastitis in cattle -- an inflammatory disease of the udder that costs the dairy industry millions of pounds each year," explained Dr Kazuo Satoh who conducted the study. "New strategies to control this disease could have a huge economic impact," he said.


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Materials provided by Society for General Microbiology. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Kazuo Satoh, Kenji Ooe, Hirotoshi Nagayama and Koichi Makimura. Prototheca cutis sp. nov., a newly discovered pathogen of protothecosis isolated from inflamed human skin. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, 2010; 60 (5): 1236 DOI: 10.1099/ijs.0.016402-0

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Society for General Microbiology. "Rare toxic algae identified." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 13 May 2010. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100510201231.htm>.
Society for General Microbiology. (2010, May 13). Rare toxic algae identified. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100510201231.htm
Society for General Microbiology. "Rare toxic algae identified." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100510201231.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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