Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 1981 Jul;144(1):72-7.
doi: 10.1093/infdis/144.1.72.

Phagocytosis and algicidal activity of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils against Prototheca wickerhamii

J P Phair, J E Williams, H P Bassaris, C R Zeiss, B A Morlock

Phagocytosis and algicidal activity of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils against Prototheca wickerhamii

J P Phair et al. J Infect Dis. 1981 Jul.

Abstract

Protothecosis is an uncommon infection due to Prototheca wickerhamii. Recently, a patient with progressive cutaneous protothecosis and an apparent defect in the ability of her polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) to kill P. wickerhamii was successfully treated. Therefore, the role of PMNs and serum opsonins in host defense against tissue invasion by this organism was evaluated. The results show that human PMNs ingested and kill P. wickerhamii. Ultrastructural studies revealed digestion of the organism by PMNs 60 min after ingestion. Optimal phagocytosis and killing of P. wickerhamii by PMNs required the presence of both specific IgG antibody and heat-labile opsonins.

PubMed Disclaimer

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources