Histological and ultrastructural features of gastrointestinal basidiobolomycosis.
Basidiobolus ranarum is a fungus found in the dung of amphibians, reptiles, and insectivorous bats. Its structural elements include both hyphae and zygospores. Patients with B. ranarum infection may present with subcutaneous, gastrointestinal, or systemic lesions. Here we report a case of gastrointesinal badidiomycosis in a 13-year-old male child who presented with acute abdomen. Exploration revealed a mass in the ascending colon. On histology, transmural granulomatous inflammation composed of abundant eosinophils, lymphocytes, histiocytes and giant cells was seen. Histochemical stains revealed broad, non-septate, hyphae-like structures surrounded by an eosinophilic sheath. On an ultrastructural level, fungal hyphae, spores, and macrophage-laden crystalloids were observed. The diagnosis of gastrointestinal basidiobolomycosis was established and the patient received antifungal treatment. This paper reviews the relevant literature regarding basidiomycosis, and discusses its diverse clinicopathological features, as well as distinguishing it from other diseases.
Hussein
Mahmoud R
MR
Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt. mrh17@swissinfo.org
Musalam
Adel O
AO
Assiry
Mubarak H
MH
Eid
Refaat A
RA
El Motawa
Abdel-Moneam
AM
Gamel
Abdel-Moneam
AM
D000293:Adolescent; D003106:Colon / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D020091:Entomophthorales / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020096:Zygomycosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*