Disseminated basidiobolomycosis in an immunocompetent woman

Abstract

Basidiobolomycosis is a chronic subcutaneous infection of the trunk and limbs due to Basidiobolus ranarum. The disease is well known in tropical areas, although recent cases of gastrointestinal basidiobolomycosis have also been reported in Arizona. We describe a young immunocompetent women who had presented with eosinophilia and lung infiltrates. She subsequently died, and diagnosis of disseminated basidiobolomycosis was made on the basis of histological features at autopsy.

FIG. 1.

High-resolution computed tomography scan at the hilar level showing patchy subpleural infiltrates with a halo sign in the upper right lobe.

FIG. 2.

Hematoxylin and eosin-stained section of the lung showing intensily eosinophilic granular material embedded in an eosinophilic rich inflammatory infiltrate.

FIG. 3.

Hematoxylin and eosin-stained section of lung showing a broad optically empty hyphal structure surrounded by necrotic and eosinophilic infiltrate. Magnification, ×400.