Fatal intestinal basidiobolomycosis in a pediatric patient

Abstract

Basidiobolomycosis is a rare but emerging fungal infection that causes severe and occasionally fatal illness. We present the case of a child with an abdominal mass and leukocytosis at the expense of eosinophilia, who underwent exploratory laparotomy showing a mass involving the transverse colon and ileum. With histopathological report of hyphae with few septa, highlighted by PAS and Grocott stains and surrounded by eosinophilic and hyaline material (Splendore-Höeppli phenomenon). Treatment with amphotericin B was started, however, he presented jejunal anastomosis dehiscence, with poor evolution, for which he died days later.

Keywords

• Basidiobolomycosis
• Pediatrics
• Gastrointestinal
• Itraconazole