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Prototheca Wickerhamii
''Prototheca wickerhamii'' is a ubiquitous green alga that does not have chlorophyll. It is widely present in the environment but is a rare cause of infection in humans ( protothecosis) and most commonly presents as nodules of the skin. Most cases reported have a suppressed immune system (from drugs or disease). Infection usually results by direct traumatic inoculation. Identification Diagnosis can be made through culture of diseased tissue in Sabouraud dextrose agar or by visualization of sporangia containing sporangiospores on tissue biopsy (using hematoxylin/eosin, GMS, or PAS histochemical stains). The organism incites a chronic granulomatous inflammation with infiltrate of histiocytes, lymphocytes, giant cells and occasional eosinophils. The organism has thick wall, internal septations, measures 3–11 µm in diameter. The sporangia have very small wedge-shaped endospores arranged radially and moulded (morula-like form). Differential diagnosis: Protothecal sporang ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Green Alga
The green algae (singular: green alga) are a group consisting of the Prasinodermophyta and its unnamed sister which contains the Chlorophyta and Charophyta/Streptophyta. The land plants (Embryophytes) have emerged deep in the Charophyte alga as sister of the Zygnematophyceae. Since the realization that the Embryophytes emerged within the green algae, some authors are starting to properly include them. The completed clade that includes both green algae and embryophytes is monophyletic and is referred to as the clade Viridiplantae and as the kingdom Plantae. The green algae include unicellular and colonial flagellates, most with two flagella per cell, as well as various colonial, coccoid and filamentous forms, and macroscopic, multicellular seaweeds. There are about 22,000 species of green algae. Many species live most of their lives as single cells, while other species form coenobia (colonies), long filaments, or highly differentiated macroscopic seaweeds. A few other organism ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll (also chlorophyl) is any of several related green pigments found in cyanobacteria and in the chloroplasts of algae and plants. Its name is derived from the Greek words , ("pale green") and , ("leaf"). Chlorophyll allow plants to absorb energy from light. Chlorophylls absorb light most strongly in the blue portion of the electromagnetic spectrum as well as the red portion. Conversely, it is a poor absorber of green and near-green portions of the spectrum. Hence chlorophyll-containing tissues appear green because green light, diffusively reflected by structures like cell walls, is less absorbed. Two types of chlorophyll exist in the photosystems of green plants: chlorophyll ''a'' and ''b''. History Chlorophyll was first isolated and named by Joseph Bienaimé Caventou and Pierre Joseph Pelletier in 1817. The presence of magnesium in chlorophyll was discovered in 1906, and was that element's first detection in living tissue. After initial work done by German ch ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Protothecosis
Protothecosis, otherwise known as Algaemia, is a disease found in dogs, cats, cattle, and humans caused by a type of green alga known as ''Prototheca'' that lacks chlorophyll and enters the human or animal bloodstream. It and its close relative ''Helicosporidium'' are unusual in that they are actually green algae that have become parasites. The two most common species are '' Prototheca wickerhamii'' and '' Prototheca zopfii''. Both are known to cause disease in dogs, while most human cases are caused by ''P. wickerhami''. ''Prototheca'' is found worldwide in sewage and soil. Infection is rare despite high exposure, and can be related to a defective immune system. In dogs, females and Collies are most commonly affected. The first human case was identified in 1964 in Sierra Leone. Cause ''Prototheca'' has been thought to be a mutant of ''Chlorella'', a type of single-celled green alga. However, while ''Chlorella'' contains galactose and galactosamine in the cell wall, ''Protot ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Nodule (medicine)
In medicine, nodules are small firm lumps, usually greater than 1 cm in diameter. If filled with fluid they are referred to as cysts. Smaller (less than 0.5 cm) raised soft tissue bumps may be termed papules. The evaluation of a skin nodule includes a description of its appearance, its location, how it feels to touch and any associated symptoms which may give clues to an underlying medical condition. Nodules in skin include dermatofibroma and pyogenic granuloma. Nodules may form on tendons and muscles in response to injury, and are frequently found on vocal cords. They may occur in organs such as the lung, or thyroid, or be a sign in other medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Characteristics Nodules are small firm lumps usually greater than 1 cm in diameter, found in skin and other organs. If filled with fluid they are usually softer and referred to as cysts. Smaller (less than 0.5 cm) raised soft tissue bumps may be termed papules. Evaluation The evaluation ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sabouraud Dextrose Agar
Sabouraud agar or Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) is a type of agar growth medium containing peptones. It is used to cultivate dermatophytes and other types of fungi, and can also grow filamentous bacteria such as '' Nocardia''. It has utility for research and clinical care. It was created by, and is named after, Raymond Sabouraud in 1892. In 1977 the formulation was adjusted by Chester W. Emmons when the pH level was brought closer to the neutral range and the dextrose concentration lowered to support the growth of other microorganisms. The acidic pH (5.6) of traditional Sabouraud agar inhibits bacterial growth. Typical composition Sabouraud agar is commercially available and typically contains:University of Sydney''Recipes'' * 40 g/L dextrose * 10 g/L peptone * 20 g/L agar * pH 5.6 Medical Use Clinical laboratories can use this growth medium to diagnose and further speciate fungal infections, allowing medical professionals to provide appropriate treatment with antifun ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Biopsy
A biopsy is a medical test commonly performed by a surgeon, interventional radiologist, or an interventional cardiologist. The process involves extraction of sample cells or tissues for examination to determine the presence or extent of a disease. The tissue is then fixed, dehydrated, embedded, sectioned, stained and mounted before it is generally examined under a microscope by a pathologist; it may also be analyzed chemically. When an entire lump or suspicious area is removed, the procedure is called an excisional biopsy. An incisional biopsy or core biopsy samples a portion of the abnormal tissue without attempting to remove the entire lesion or tumor. When a sample of tissue or fluid is removed with a needle in such a way that cells are removed without preserving the histological architecture of the tissue cells, the procedure is called a needle aspiration biopsy. Biopsies are most commonly performed for insight into possible cancerous or inflammatory conditions. Histor ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hematoxylin
Haematoxylin or hematoxylin (), also called natural black 1 or C.I. 75290, is a compound extracted from heartwood of the logwood tree ('' Haematoxylum campechianum'') with a chemical formula of . This naturally derived dye has been used as a histologic stain, ink and as a dye in the textile and leather industry. As a dye, haematoxylin has been called Palo de Campeche, logwood extract, bluewood and blackwood. In histology, haematoxylin staining is commonly followed ( counterstained), with eosin, when paired, this staining procedure is known as H&E staining, and is one of the most commonly used combinations in histology. In addition to its use in the H&E stain, haematoxylin is also a component of the Papanicolaou stain (or PAP stain) which is widely used in the study of cytology specimens. Although the stain is commonly called ''haematoxylin'', the active colourant is the oxidized form haematein, which forms strongly coloured complexes with certain metal ions (commonly Fe(III ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sporangia
A sporangium (; from Late Latin, ) is an enclosure in which spores are formed. It can be composed of a single cell or can be multicellular. Virtually all plants, fungi, and many other lineages form sporangia at some point in their life cycle. Sporangia can produce spores by mitosis, but in nearly all land plants and many fungi, sporangia are the site of meiosis and produce genetically distinct haploid spores. Fungi In some phyla of fungi, the sporangium plays a role in asexual reproduction, and may play an indirect role in sexual reproduction. The sporangium forms on the sporangiophore and contains haploid nuclei and cytoplasm. Spores are formed in the sporangiophore by encasing each haploid nucleus and cytoplasm in a tough outer membrane. During asexual reproduction, these spores are dispersed via wind and germinate into haploid hyphae. Although sexual reproduction in fungi varies between phyla, for some fungi the sporangium plays an indirect role in sexual reproductio ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Amphotericin B
Amphotericin B is an antifungal medication used for serious mycosis, fungal infections and leishmaniasis. The fungal infections it is used to treat include mucormycosis, aspergillosis, blastomycosis, candida infections, candidiasis, coccidioidomycosis, and cryptococcosis. For certain infections it is given with flucytosine. It is typically given intravenously (injection into a vein). Common side effects include a reaction with fever, chills, and headaches soon after the medication is given, as well as kidney problems. Allergic symptoms including anaphylaxis may occur. Other serious side effects include hypokalemia, low blood potassium and myocarditis (inflammation of the heart). It appears to be relatively safe in pregnancy. There is a lipid formulation that has a lower risk of side effects. It is in the polyene antimycotic, polyene class of medications and works in part by interfering with the cell membrane of the fungus. Amphotericin B was isolated from ''Streptomyces nodosus ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Itraconazole
Itraconazole, sometimes abbreviated ITZ, is an antifungal medication used to treat a number of fungal infections. This includes aspergillosis, blastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, histoplasmosis, and paracoccidioidomycosis. It may be given by mouth or intravenously. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, rash, and headache. Severe side effects may include liver problems, heart failure, Stevens–Johnson syndrome and allergic reactions including anaphylaxis. It is unclear if use during pregnancy or breastfeeding is safe. It is in the triazole family of medications. It stops fungal growth by affecting the cell membrane or affecting their metabolism. Itraconazole was patented in 1978 and approved for medical use in the United States in 1992. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. Recent research works suggest itraconazole (ITZ) could also be used in the treatment of cancer by inhibiting the hedgehog pathway in a similar wa ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Posaconazole
Posaconazole, sold under the brand name Noxafil among others, is a triazole antifungal medication. It was approved for medical use in the United States in September 2006, and is available as a generic medication. Medical uses Posaconazole is used to treat invasive ''Aspergillus'' and '' Candida'' infections. It is also used for the treatment of oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC), including OPC refractory to itraconazole and/or fluconazole therapy. It is also used to treat invasive infections by ''Candida'', ''Mucor'', and ''Aspergillus'' species in severely immunocompromised patients. Clinical evidence for its utility in treatment of invasive disease caused by ''Fusarium'' species (fusariosis) is limited. It appears to be helpful in a mouse model of naegleriasis. Pharmacology Pharmacodynamics Posaconazole works by disrupting the close packing of acyl chains of phospholipids, impairing the functions of certain membrane-bound enzyme systems such as ATPase and enzymes of the el ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Voriconazole
Voriconazole, sold under the brand name Vfend among others, is an antifungal medication used to treat a number of fungal infections. This includes aspergillosis, candidiasis, coccidioidomycosis, histoplasmosis, penicilliosis, and infections by ''Scedosporium'' or ''Fusarium''. It can be taken by mouth or used by injection into a vein. Common side effects include vision problems, nausea, abdominal pain, rash, headache, and seeing or hearing things that are not present. Use during pregnancy may result in harm to the baby. It is in the triazole family of medications. It works by affecting fungal metabolism and fungal cell membranes. Voriconazole was patented in 1990 and approved for medical use in the United States in 2002. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. Medical uses Voriconazole is used to treat invasive aspergillosis and candidiasis and fungal infections caused by ''Scedosporium'' and ''Fusarium'' species, which may occur in immunocomp ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
