Publication: Human pythiosis in Thailand
Issued Date
1994-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
00325473
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-0028142203
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Mahidol University
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Postgraduate Medical Journal. Vol.70, No.826 (1994), 558-560
Suggested Citation
P. Imwidthaya Human pythiosis in Thailand. Postgraduate Medical Journal. Vol.70, No.826 (1994), 558-560. doi:10.1136/pgmj.70.826.558 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/9767
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Title
Human pythiosis in Thailand
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Abstract
Pythium insidiosum is a protoctista and causes diseases in plants and animals. In Thailand it can cause a unique human infection of three types. The first type is a subcutaneous lesion in thalassaemic patients, with the pathological findings of a granulomatous reaction, diffuse infiltration, and oedema of the vessel walls. The patients responded to a saturated solution of potassium iodide. The second type is chronic inflammation and occlusion of blood vessels mainly in the lower extremities which results in gangrene or aneurysm formation. This type of infection is only found in thalassaemic patients and leads to amputation of the affected extremities or resection of the involved arteries. The third type is keratitis. This type of infection may or may not be associated with thalassaemia. The clinical signs and symptoms do not differentiate it from other types of myocotic keratitis. The patients end up with keratoplasty, evisceration or enucleation. Thailand is an agricultural country, and there are plenty of swampy areas and several plants to support the life cycle of Pythium. Moreover, many people suffer from thalassaemia, and there is no drug available for Pythium. Pythiosis plays an important role in medicine in Thailand.