|
Human pythiosis insidiosi
is characterized by the formation of subcutaneous lesions and the invasion
of the main arteries. If not treated the infection is fatal. The majority
of the cases have been diagnosed in Thailand. The disease has been
also reported in Australia, Haiti, India, and the USA. The organism is acquired
through traumatic implantation and remains localized or spreads to infect
other tissues, especially arteries. The diagnosis of the disease in humans
is based in culture, serology, and histopathology. In all cases hyphae of this oomycete are present
in the infected tissues. Serological test such as ID and ELISA have proved
to be of value for its early diagnosis.
Treatment of human subcutaneous
pythiosis insidiosi on limbs, in which the
arteries have been involved, consists of the amputation in the affected
extremity. Iodides and other drugs have been used with questionable
results. More recently the vaccine used to treat equine pythiosis, was
successfully used in at least two cases of human pythiosis. The vaccine
is being investigated for its possible use in new cases of human and
animal pythiosis insidiosi.
|