Gastrointestinal Basidiobolomycosis in Arizona: Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Gastrointestinal basidiobolomycosis (GIB) is an unusual fungal infection that is rarely reported in the medical literature. From April 1994 through May 1999, 7 cases of GIB occurred in Arizona, 4 from December 1998 through May 1999. We reviewed the clinical characteristics of the patients and conducted a case-control study to generate hypotheses about potential risk factors. All patients had histopathologic signs characteristic of basidiobolomycosis. Five patients were male (median age, 52 years; range, 37--59 years) and had a history of diabetes mellitus (in 3 patients), peptic ulcer disease (in 2), or pica (in 1). All patients underwent partial or complete surgical resection of the infected portions of their gastrointestinal tracts, and all received itraconazole postoperatively for a median of 10 months (range, 3--19 months). Potential risk factors included prior ranitidine use and longer residence in Arizona. GIB is a newly emerging infection that causes substantial morbidity and diagnostic confusion. Further studies are needed to better define its risk factors and treatment.