Question

algae:
1 give a brief overview of the organism you have selected, include it's full scientific name how it is identified in the lab where it usually lives
2 what is the name of the human disease or illness this organism may cause what are the symptoms.
3 how is the disease or illness transmitted Are there specific test to detect the infection if so provide brief description.
4 do any treatments exist for this disease or illness , what are they

Answer 1

Algae: Prototheca

Prototheca is a genus of algae from the family Chlorellaceae. All the species within this genus are classified as green algae but they lack chlorophyll and show parasitism. The two most common species are Prototheca wickerhamii and Prototheca zopfii.

Prototheca wickerhamii is the most common specie which cause disease in human, known as protothecosis. P.wickerhamii is found worldwide mostly in sewage and soil .

In lab they are identified by visualization of sporangia containing sporangiospores on tissue biopsy using hematoxylin, GMS or PAS histochemical stains and through culture of infected fluid in Sabouraud dextrose agar .

P.wickerhamii cause a rear disease in human known as protothecosis. Symptoms of protothecosis are diarrhea, weight loss, weakness, inflammation of the eye(uveitis), retinal detachment, ataxia, and seizures. P.wickerhamii enters the body through the mouth or nose and causes infection in the intestines. it is believed that Prototheca species may infect humans through contaminated soil or water.

Amphotericin B, itraconazole, posaconazole and voriconazole is used for the treatment but among these the most promising result is seen with Amphotericin B .