Helicosporidia are obligate invertebrate pathogens with a unique and highly adapted mode of infection. The evolutionary history of Helicosporidia has been uncertain, but several recent molecular phylogenetic studies have shown an unexpectedly close relationship to green algae, and specifically to the opportunistic pathogen Prototheca. To date, molecular sequences from Helicosporidia are restric...

In this research, 11 yeast strains with ability to grow on petroleum sludge were isolated from effluent of a petroleum refinery. Based on growth on mineral media contaminated petroleum sludge, two isolates were selected as the super strains. Meanwhile, results based on biochemical and morphological experiments on the strains indicated that the two selected isolates belonged to Candida and Proto...

A rare case of Prototheca wickerhamii meningitis is reported in a patient without any underlying immunodeficient condition. Wet-mount microscopy and culture of cerebral spinal fluid specimens, along with temperature resistance, cycloheximide tolerance, carbohydrates assimilation, including API 20C AUX tests of the isolated etiologic agent were performed. In addition, transmission and scanning e...

This is a report on the clinical history and pathological lesions of a dog suffering from disseminated protothecosis due to Prototheca zopfi. Clinically, the dog was presented with bilateral conjunctivitis followed by blindness, deafness and posterior paresis. Pathological lesions were most severe in the eyes and consisted of subacute panophthalmitis with secondary posterior subcapsular catarac...