MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Basidiobolomycosis caused by a rare species – Basidiobolus meristosporus

Summary

A five-year-old girl developed large swollen lumps on her buttock and thigh that were initially thought to be tuberculosis or cancer. Doctors took a tissue sample and found it was caused by a rare fungus called Basidiobolus meristosporus. Using advanced DNA sequencing techniques, they identified the exact fungus species and treated her successfully with an antifungal medication called itraconazole, leading to complete healing within six weeks.

Background

Basidiobolomycosis is a rare subcutaneous fungal infection caused by saprophytic fungi of the genus Basidiobolus, typically affecting immunocompetent hosts in tropical regions. While Basidiobolus ranarum is the most commonly reported species, Basidiobolus meristosporus has only recently been documented in human infections.

Objective

To present a case of subcutaneous entomophthoromycosis caused by the rare species Basidiobolus meristosporus in an immunocompetent five-year-old girl and to demonstrate the importance of molecular sequencing for accurate species identification.

Results

Biopsy culture yielded Basidiobolus species with characteristic morphology. Whole genome sequencing identified the isolate as Basidiobolus meristosporus, the first reported case from this region in an immunocompetent child. The patient responded well to itraconazole therapy with near complete resolution within six weeks.

Conclusion

Early and accurate diagnosis through molecular sequencing is essential to avoid unnecessary surgeries and guide appropriate antifungal therapy. Speciation based on morphology alone is unreliable, and sequencing methods should be standard for fungal pathogens with unresolved pathogenic implications.
  • Published in:Medical Mycology Case Reports,
  • Study Type:Case Report,
  • Source: PMID: 36938344, DOI: 10.1016/j.mmcr.2023.02.006
Scroll to Top