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The Mammalian Pathogenic Oomycetes

  • CLINICAL LAB ISSUES (M BRANDT, SECTION EDITOR)
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Abstract

The oomycetes are fungal-like microbes similar to those found within some members of the kingdom Fungi. Although these two groups of microbes share morphological features, there are several contrasting differences: a) phylogenetic analysis placed the oomycetes basal to plants and green algae; b) oomycetes lack ergosterol in their cytoplasmic membrane; c) chitin is not the main compound in the cell wall of oomycetes; and d) asexual reproduction in the oomycetes occurs by the development of sporangia containing numerous biflagellate zoospores. Pythium insidiosum was considered to be the only oomycete pathogenic for mammals. However, in 1999, Grooters reported that several dogs were diagnosed with an unusual oomycete in the genus Lagenidium causing extensive cutaneous and subcutaneous infections. Thereafter, the infection has been also reported in humans and cats, and it could possibly affect other mammalian species as well. This review highlights the epidemiological, clinical and pathological features, as well as the diagnosis and management of the infections caused by this unique group of mammalian pathogenic oomycetes.

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Conflict of Interest

Leonel Mendoza receives a salary from Michigan State University.

Raquel Vilela declares that she has no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48424-1031, USA

    Leonel Mendoza

  2. Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics, Michigan State University, North Kedzie Hall, 354 Farm Lane Room 324, East Lansing, MI, 48824-1031, USA

    Leonel Mendoza & Raquel Vilela

  3. Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil

    Raquel Vilela

  4. Superior Institute of Medicine (ISMD), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Raquel Vilela

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  1. Leonel Mendoza
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Correspondence to Leonel Mendoza.

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Mendoza, L., Vilela, R. The Mammalian Pathogenic Oomycetes. Curr Fungal Infect Rep 7, 198–208 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12281-013-0144-z

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