Vascular Pythiosis of the Lower Extremity in Northern Thailand: Ten Years Experience

• Main Authors: Termpong Reanpang, Saritphat Orrapin, Saranat Orrapin, Supapong Arworn, Thanate Kattipatanapong, Tanop Srisuwan, Nongnuch Vanittanakom, Suree P. Lekawanvijit, Kittipan Rerkasem
• Format: Journal
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: Medicine
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=84944033553&origin=inward; http://cmuir.cmu.ac.th/jspui/handle/6653943832/54752
• Institution: Chiang Mai University

© SAGE Publications. Pythiosis is a disease caused by Pythium insidiosum, a fungus-like organism. P. insidiosum is pathogenic in mammals, particularly in horses, dogs, and humans. Human pythiosis can be classified into 4 types: (1) cutaneous/subcutaneous, (2) ocular, (3) vascular, and (4) disseminated pythiosis. Vascular pythiosis is a rare disease but a serious limb- and life-threatening infection. We reviewed 22 cases over a 10-year period in Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai/Chiang Mai University Hospital. The survival rate was around 63.6% during our follow-up period. The only effective treatment was complete excision of the infected tissue, which was done mainly by major amputation, such as above-knee amputation. This report raises awareness of this disease, which needs preemptive diagnosis and appropriate treatment.