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Basidiobolomycosis | |
---|---|
Basidiobolus ranarum: causative organism | |
Specialty | Infectious disease[1] |
Symptoms | Firm painless nodule in skin,[2] tummy upset[3] |
Complications | Spread to local structures[2] |
Usual onset | Gradual/slow[2] |
Causes | B. ranarum[2] |
Diagnostic method | Medical imaging, biopsy, microscopy, culture, histopathology[2] |
Differential diagnosis | Inflammatory bowel disease[2] |
Treatment | Antifungals, surgery[4] |
Medication | Amphotericin B[4] |
Frequency | Rare[3] |
Basidiobolomycosis is a fungal disease caused by Basidiobolus ranarum.[1][5] It may appear as one or more painless firm nodules in the skin which becomes purplish with an edge that appears to be slowly growing outwards.[3][5] A serious but less common type affects the stomach and intestine, which usually presents with abdominal pain, fever and a mass.[3]
B. ranarum, can be found in soil, decaying vegetables and has been isolated from insects, some reptiles, amphibians, and mammals.[2] The disease results from direct entry of the fungus through broken skin such as an insect bite or trauma, or eating contaminated food.[1][3] It generally affects people who are well.[2]
Diagnosis is by medical imaging, biopsy, microscopy, culture and histopathology.[2] Treatment usually involves amphotericin B and surgery.[3][4]
Although B. ranarum is found around the world, the disease Basidiobolomycosis is generally reported in tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, South America, Asia and Southwestern United States.[3] It is rare.[3] The first case in a human was reported from Indonesia in 1956 as a skin infection.[4]
Basidiobolomycosis may appear as a firm nodule in the skin which becomes purplish with an edge that appears to be slowly growing outwards.[3][5] It is generally painless but may feel itchy or burning.[3][5] There can be one lesion or several, and usually on the arms or legs of children.[5] Pus may be present if a bacterial infection also occurs.[3] The infection can spread to nearby structures such as muscles, bones and lymph nodes.[2]
A serious but less common type affects the stomach and intestine, which usually presents with tummy ache, fever and a lump.[3][6] Lymphoedema may occur.[3][4]
Basidiobolomycosis is a type of Entomophthoromycosis, the other being conidiobolomycosis, and is caused by Basidiobolus ranarum, a fungus belonging to the order Entomophthorales.[2] B. ranarum has been found in soil, decaying vegetables and has been isolated from insects some reptiles, amphibians, and mammals.[2] The disease results from direct entry of the fungus through broken skin such as an insect bite or trauma, or eating contaminated food.[1][3] Diabetes may be a risk factor.[3] The exact way in which infection results is not completely understood.[3]
Diagnosis is by culture and biopsy.[4]
A review in 2015 showed that the most common finding on imaging of the abdomen was a mass in the bowel, the liver, or multiple sites and bowel wall thickening. Initially, many were considered to have either a cancer of the bowel or Crohns disease.[7][8]
Treatment usually involves itraconazole or amphotericin B, combined with surgical debridement.[4] Bowel involvement may be better treated with voriconazole.[2]
The condition is rare but emerging.[3] Men and children are affected more than females.[3] The disease is generally reported in tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, South America, Asia and several cases in Southwestern United States.[2][3]
The first case in a human was reported from Indonesia as a skin infection in 1956.[4] In 1964, the first case involving stomach and intestine was reported.[4]
Cases among gardeners in Arizona, US, may indicate an occupational hazard, but is unproven.[4]
Basidiobolomycosis has been reported in a dog.[9]