Basidiobolus

Basidiobolus is a genus of fungus that belongs to the family Basidiobolaceae. It is known for causing a rare fungal infection called Basidiobolomycosis, which primarily affects the skin and subcutaneous tissues.

Taxonomy[edit | edit source]

The genus Basidiobolus was first described by the Dutch mycologist Johannes Hendrikus Kern in 1957. It is classified under the order Entomophthorales of the class Zygomycetes. The family Basidiobolaceae consists of two genera, Basidiobolus and Conidiobolus.

Characteristics[edit | edit source]

Basidiobolus species are saprophytic fungi that are commonly found in the soil, decaying organic matter, and the gastrointestinal tract of amphibians, reptiles, fish, and insectivorous bats. They are characterized by the production of large, broad, and irregularly shaped zygospores.

Pathogenesis and Clinical Features[edit | edit source]

The pathogenic species, Basidiobolus ranarum, causes Basidiobolomycosis, a rare fungal infection that primarily affects the skin and subcutaneous tissues. The infection usually presents as a painless, firm, and indurated swelling, often mistaken for a soft tissue tumor. It can also involve the gastrointestinal tract, leading to abdominal pain, weight loss, and intestinal obstruction.

Diagnosis and Treatment[edit | edit source]

Diagnosis of Basidiobolus infection is based on the histopathological examination of the affected tissues, showing the presence of broad, non-septate hyphae and eosinophilic material known as Splendore-Hoeppli phenomenon. Treatment involves surgical debridement of the affected tissues and long-term antifungal therapy with Itraconazole or Amphotericin B.

References[edit | edit source]

Basidiobolus Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? Need help finding a doctor or specialist anywhere in the world? Explore our world directory. WikiMD's DocFinder can assist you in locating millions of physicians.	Medical Knowledge Access the latest research - Most recent articles Ongoing trials.