Gastrointestinal Basidiobolomycosis Mimicking Colon Cancer in a Sudanese Patient

Abstract

Basidiobolomycosisis a rare disease caused by the fungus Basidiobolus ranarum. The incidence Rate of Gastrointestinal Basidiobolomycosis is approximately 1 in 45,333,334 or 0.00% in every 5 people in USA), member of the class Zygomycetes found worldwide (1).Basidiobolomycosis is usually a subcutaneous infection but rarely gastrointestinal1. This fungus is found mainly in the soil and on decaying vegetations2. It has been isolated from the banks of tropical rivers in West Africa, and has also been found in association with some insects2. The fungus is known to be present in the gastrointestinal tracts of reptiles, amphibians, and some bat species3. Definitive diagnosis requires culture and serological testing may be helpful. The fungal morphology and the Splendore-Hoeppli phenomenon are characteristic histological features. Basidiobolomycosis is treated with surgical resection and itracanzole 200mg BD for three months or Amphotericin B 5mg /kg iv/24 hrs4.

Keywords: Zygomycetes, vegetations, subcutaneous infection.