Frontiers in Pediatrics (Apr 2020)

Colonic Basidiobolomycosis—An Unusual Presentation of Eosinophilic Intestinal Inflammation

  • Elena Kurteva,
  • Alasdair Bamford,
  • Kate Cross,
  • Tom Watson,
  • Catherine Owens,
  • Fanlek Cheng,
  • John Hartley,
  • Kathryn Harris,
  • Elizabeth M. Johnson,
  • Keith Lindley,
  • Samantha Levine,
  • Jutta Köglmeier

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2020.00142
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8

Abstract

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Basidiobolomycosis is a rare fungal disease caused by Basidiobolus ranarum. Involvement of the gastrointestinal tract is unusual and poses both a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, as clinical signs are non-specific and predisposing risk factors are lacking. It can mimick inflammatory bowel disease, primary immunodeficiency, or a malignancy and should be considered in patients who do not respond to standard therapy. We present the case of a 22 months old boy with confirmed colonic Basidiobolomycosis, who presented with severe eosinophilic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Panfungal PCR performed on DNA extracted directly from a tissue sample confirmed the presence of Basidiobolus. He made a full recovery with a combination of surgery and prolonged targeted antifungal medication.

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