Genus and species: Basidiobolus ranarum
Family: Entomophthoraceae
Class: Zygomycetes
Sources:
(1) eating soil that contains decayng plants or organic material
(2) eating animal feces
(3) eating food contaminated with soil and/or animal feces
(4) direct inoculation of soil or animal feces into the rectum (better not ask how)
The fungus is a true pathogen that can infect immunocompetent patients.
Clinical findings:
(1) fever
(2) diarrhea or constipation
(3) abdominal pain
(4) weight loss
(5) variable chills and rigors
Imaging studies may show one or more mass lesions with extension to lymph nodes or the liver, suggestive of a malignancy. It may easily be mistaken for colon cancer.
It can also be confused with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.
Diagnosis depends on:
(1) identification of fungal hyphae on biopsy
(2) a positive fungal culture
