Journal de mycologie médicale
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Basidiobolus ranarum is a fungus found in the dung of amphibians, reptiles and insectivorous bats. Basidiobolomycosis is a chronic subcutaneous infection of the trunk and limbs caused by B. ranarum. The disease is a well-known infection in the tropical areas. It usually presents with subcutaneous or gastrointestinal lesions and rarely with systemic affection. Recently, the etiologic role of B. ranarum in the gastrointestinal infections has been increasingly recognized. ⋯ Our study raises several notions. Gastrointestinal basidiobolomycosis is often misdiagnosed as cancer (lymphoma or carcinoma), tuberculosis or inflammatory bowel disease. Its recognition needs high index of suspicion and increased awareness especially in patients with chest, abdominal or neck masses and eosinophilia. The diagnosis of basidiobolomycosis can be established on histological basis in most cases. The fungal morphology and the Splendore-Hoeppli phenomenon are characteristic histological features of this condition. There are no prominent risk factors. Usually, surgery and prolonged antifungal therapy are required.