Gastrointestinal Basidiobol Omycosis: A Case Report

Abstract

Basidiobolomycosis is a rare invasive fungal infection, usually causing subcutaneous infection. Medical literature has rarely reported gastrointestinal and disseminated infections. We report a case of hepatic basidiobolomycosis in an immunocompetent 12-year-old girl from Iran who presented with fever, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite. She had a history of abdominal trauma two months prior. We found a mass in the left lobe of the liver; thus, an ultrasound- guided biopsy was performed. Basidiobolomycosis was diagnosed through pathological findings. Accordingly, a prolonged course of antifungal agents was prescribed, and the patient’s symptoms improved.

Gastrointestinal basidiobolomycosis is a rare fungal infection that rarely only affects the liver. Clinical manifestations may mimic malignant tumors, hepatic abscess, hepatic cyst, inflammatory bowel disease, or even the phlegmon of appendicitis. In tropical regions, fungal infections like basidiobolomycosis should be considered through differential diagnosis. Usually, long-term antifungal therapy and surgical resection are required. If diagnosed late, the disease presents a high mortality rate. However, our patient was diagnosed and treated early; therefore, she could recover.