Gastrointestinal Basidiobolomycosis (GIB) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Basidiobolomycosis is a well known, but rare and under diagnosed condition. It is adeep-seated fungal infection caused by the organism Basidiobolusranarum a worldwide environmental saprophyte belonging to the Entomophthorales order of the class zygomycetes^1,2 and is found in soil, decaying plants,and gastrointestinal tracts of amphibians, reptiles, horses, dogs and bats. It has been found to be of higher incidence in males (a male to female ratio of 11:1) and is seen in different age groups, the mean age being 37 years². Eidam first isolated Basidiobolusranarum in 1886^3,9. Unlike other fungi, Basidiobolus Ranarum, can cause significant disease in the immune-competent hosts⁴.