Protothecosis in Dogs: A Narrative Review.

Protothecosis is a rare and unusual disease that affects both humans and animals, including dogs. The causative agents are unicellular, achlorophyllous, "yeast-like" microalgae of the genus Prototheca (Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta). Although usually saprophytic, Prototheca may, under conditions of immunologic compromise, become pathogenic and even lethal to the host.

Reduced plastid genomes of colorless facultative pathogens Prototheca (Chlorophyta) are retained for membrane transport genes.

Background: Plastids are usually involved in photosynthesis, but the secondary loss of this function is a widespread phenomenon in various lineages of algae and plants. In addition to the loss of genes associated with photosynthesis, the plastid genomes of colorless algae are frequently reduced further. To understand the pathways of reductive evolution associated with the loss of photosynthesis, it is necessary to study a number of closely related strains.

Correction: Molecular snapshot of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains from the Plateau State, Nigeria.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Genotyping and drug susceptibility profiling of Prototheca sp. strains isolated from cases of protothecosis in dogs.

Background: Protothecosis in dogs is a rare, yet emerging disease, distinguished by its often-aggressive clinical course and high fatality rate. Our study was conducted to enhance treatment protocols for affected dogs by better understanding the genetic diversity and drug resistance patterns of Prototheca species.

Objectives: To identify species and drug susceptibility profiles of an international collection of 28 Prototheca strains isolated from cases of protothecosis in dogs.