Prototecosis canina: Primer reporte en Argentina

Abstract

Protothecosis is an infectious disease caused by algae of the genus Prototheca, which affects animals and human beings. The aim of the present article was to report a case of protothecosis in a 3 year old, female, French bulldog from the city of Mar del Plata, Argentina, with a history of chronic hemorrhagic diarrhea without response to conventional treatment. Rectal cytology and endoscopic biopsies showed abundant levaduriform organisms compatible with Prototheca zopfii. Clinical, endoscopic, cytological and histopathological findings are detailed. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case of canine protothecosis reported in Argentina.