Disseminated gastrointestinal basidiobolomycosis: Case report

Abstract

Gastrointestinal basidiobolomycosis (GIB) is an invasive fungal infection affecting immunocompetent children
and young adults. Most of the reported cases are from the southwestern region of Saudi Arabia; it has a non-specific
presentation which can mimic inflammatory bowel disease, gastrointestinal tuberculosis, and colon cancer. GIB
usually affects the colon and small intestine while disseminated GIB is very rare. Liver involvement was reported
in only 5 cases. We report here the case of a 22-year-old Saudi girl living in Jizan (southern region of Saudi Arabia)
presented with disseminated gastrointestinal intramural and liver abscesses which were successfully treated with
the aspiration of liver abscess and oral antifungal therapy (itraconazole). GIB diagnosis need a high index of
suspicion and should be considered in patients from the southwestern region of Saudi Arabia with gastrointestinal
intramural and liver abscesses. GIB is an emerging infection that might lead to diagnostic confusion, morbidity,
and mortality.