basidiobolomycosis

Basidiobolomycosis: A Rare Fungal Infection

Basidiobolomycosis, also known as subcutaneous zygomycosis or subcutaneous phycomycosis, is a rare but emerging fungal infection caused by the environmental saprophyte Basidiobolus ranarum. This infection primarily affects the skin and subcutaneous tissue, causing firm, painless swelling with smooth and rounded edges.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of basidiobolomycosis include:

• Firm, painless nodules or swellings in the skin
• Gradually enlarging granulomas, usually in the subcutaneous fat tissues
• Abdominal pain, fever, and diarrhea (in rare cases affecting the gastrointestinal tract)

Causes

The fungus that causes basidiobolomycosis is found mainly in the soil, decaying plants, and in the intestines of some animals. People may get infected when the fungus enters a minor cut or insect bite, or after eating contaminated food.

Key Points

• Basidiobolomycosis is a rare fungal infection caused by Basidiobolus ranarum.
• The infection primarily affects the skin and subcutaneous tissue.
• Symptoms include firm, painless nodules or swellings in the skin.
• In rare cases, the infection can affect the gastrointestinal tract.

References:

[1] [5] - Basidiobolomycosis is a fungal disease caused by Basidiobolus ranarum. 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]

[11] - Basidiobolomycosis is a fungal disease caused by Basidiobolus ranarum. 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]

[15] - The fungus that causes basidiobolomycosis is found mainly in the soil, decaying plants, and in the intestines of some animals. It is thought that people get the infection when the fungus enters a minor cut or insect bite. People may also get the disease after eating contaminated food.

[13] - Abstract. Basidiobolomycosis or subcutaneous zygomycosis or subcutaneous phycomycosis is a chronic granulomatous infection of skin and subcutaneous tissue, caused by a saprophytic filamentous fungus, Basidiobolus ranarum, clinically characterized by firm, painless subcutaneous swelling with smooth and rounded edges.

Basidiobolomycosis Signs and Symptoms

Basidiobolomycosis, a rare fungal infection, can manifest in various ways, depending on the affected area of the body. Here are some common signs and symptoms:

• Skin manifestations: A firm nodule in the skin that becomes purplish with an edge that appears to be slowly growing outwards [1].
• Abdominal symptoms: Abdominal pain, constipation, abdominal distention, palpable abdominal mass, fever, and diarrhea are common symptoms of gastrointestinal basidiobolomycosis (GIB) [6].
• Systemic symptoms: Prolonged fever, weight loss, elevated inflammatory markers such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and anemia can also occur [7].
• Other symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss are also reported in some cases [8].

It's essential to note that the symptoms of basidiobolomycosis can vary widely from person to person, and not everyone will experience all of these symptoms. If you suspect you or someone else has this infection, it's crucial to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.

References: [1] Signs and symptoms​​ Basidiobolomycosis may appear as a firm nodule in the skin which becomes purplish with an edge that appears to be slowly growing outwards. [6] by S Mirmoosavi · 2023 · Cited by 4 — The most common GIB symptoms include abdominal pain, constipation, abdominal distention, palpable abdominal mass, fever, and diarrhea [4

Basidiobolomycosis, also known as zygomycosis, is a rare fungal infection caused by the fungus Basidiobolus ranarum. The diagnosis of this condition can be challenging, but several diagnostic tests have been developed to aid in its identification.

Culture-based methods

• Tissue culture: This is considered the gold standard for diagnosing basidiobolomycosis. A tissue sample from the affected area should be inoculated into a culture medium as soon as possible to increase the chances of successful growth and identification of the fungus [2, 4].
• Culture filtrate antigen (CFA) test: This immunodiffusion test was developed for diagnosing basidiobolomycosis. It involves reacting CFA from Basidiobolus ranarum with a patient's serum to detect antibodies against the fungus [9].

Histopathological examination

• Biopsy and histopathology: A biopsy of the affected tissue can be examined under a microscope for characteristic features such as granulomatous inflammation, tissue eosinophilia, and the presence of fungal elements [1].

Imaging studies

• Ultrasound and CT scans: These imaging modalities can help identify the location and extent of the infection, but they are not specific for diagnosing basidiobolomycosis [6].

Other diagnostic criteria

• Major criterion: A definitive diagnosis of basidiobolomycosis can be made with either one major criterion or three minor criteria plus a compatible clinical presentation [8].
• Minor criteria: These include symptoms such as skin lesions, subcutaneous zygomycosis, and chronic infection [8].

It's worth noting that the diagnosis of basidiobolomycosis often requires a combination of these tests to confirm the presence of the fungus. A definitive diagnosis can be challenging, but with a high index of suspicion and a thorough diagnostic workup, it is possible to make an accurate diagnosis.

References: [1] by S Mirmoosavi · 2023 · Cited by 4 [2] by B Geramizadeh · 2015 · Cited by 71 [4] by A Albishri · 2020 · Cited by 10 [6] by O Abdelbagi · 2021 · Cited by 1 [8] by G Pouladfar · 2024 [9] by P Imwidthaya · 1992 · Cited by 25

Treatment Options for Basidiobolomycosis

Basidiobolomycosis, a rare fungal infection caused by the fungus Basidiobolus, can be treated with various antifungal medications. The primary goal of treatment is to eliminate the infection and prevent its recurrence.

• Itraconazole: Itraconazole has been considered the first-line treatment for basidiobolomycosis, with a success rate of up to 73% (Albaradi et al., [3]). It is an oral medication that can be taken for several months.
• Posaconazole: Posaconazole has also been used to treat basidiobolomycosis, with a success rate of up to 100% in some cases (Saeed et al., [2]). However, it may not be as effective as itraconazole in all patients.
• Amphotericin B: Amphotericin B is another antifungal medication that can be used to treat basidiobolomycosis. It is typically administered intravenously and can cause significant side effects (Kurteva et al., [8]).
• Voriconazole: Voriconazole has been used in combination with amphotericin B to treat basidiobolomycosis, particularly in cases where the infection is severe or resistant to other treatments (Kurteva et al., [8]).
• Surgical resection: In some cases, surgical resection of the infected tissue may be necessary to eliminate the infection. This can be combined with antifungal medication to ensure complete clearance of the fungus.

Important Considerations

It is essential to note that treatment for basidiobolomycosis should only be initiated under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional. The duration and type of treatment will depend on various factors, including the severity of the infection, the patient's overall health, and the presence of any underlying medical conditions.

References

[1] Mathew et al., 2005 - [3] [2] Saeed et al., 2019 - [2] [3] Albaradi et al., 2014 - [3] [8] Kurteva et al., 2020 - [8]

Note: The references provided are based on the search results and may not be an exhaustive list of all relevant studies.

What is Differential Diagnosis?

Differential diagnosis refers to the process of identifying and ruling out other possible causes of a patient's symptoms or condition, in order to arrive at an accurate diagnosis.

Differential Diagnosis of Basidiobolomycosis

Basidiobolomycosis is a rare fungal infection caused by Basidiobolus ranarum. The differential diagnosis for basidiobolomycosis includes:

• Chromoblastomycosis: a fungal infection that affects the skin and subcutaneous tissue
• Sporotrichosis: a fungal infection that affects the skin, lymph nodes, and other organs
• Paracoccidioidomycosis: a fungal infection that affects the lungs, skin, and other organs
• Blastomycosis: a fungal infection that affects the lungs, skin, and other organs
• Coccidioidomycosis: a fungal infection that affects the lungs, skin, and other organs
• Pythiosis: a rare fungal infection that affects the skin, muscles, and other tissues
• Rhinosporidiosis: a rare fungal infection that affects the nasal passages and sinuses
• Mucocutaneous tuberculosis: a form of tuberculosis that affects the mucous membranes and skin
• Atypical mycobacterial infections: infections caused by bacteria that are similar to Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Why is Differential Diagnosis Important?

Differential diagnosis is important because it helps healthcare providers to:

• Identify the correct cause of a patient's symptoms or condition
• Develop an effective treatment plan
• Rule out other possible causes of a patient's symptoms or condition, which can lead to unnecessary testing and treatment
• Improve patient outcomes by providing timely and accurate diagnosis and treatment

References

[3] Basidiobolomycosis Etiology. Basidiobolomycosis is caused by the fungus Basidiobolus ranarum. [12] Gastrointestinal basidiobolomycosis (GIB) is a rare fungal infection caused by Basidiobolus ranarum, and its differential diagnoses include inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), intestinal tuberculosis, and other granulomatous diseases. [14] Primary cecal basidiobolomycosis in immunocompetent hosts is a rare occurrence that clinically masquerades malignant neoplasms, and therefore its identification mandates its inclusion in the differential diagnosis of a colonic mass.