Pediatric gastrointestinal basidiobolomycosis mimicking malignancy

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Infectious Diseases
• Pediatric Gastroenterology

Background:

• Basidiobolomycosis is a rare fungal infection prevalent in Saudi Arabia's Tohama region.
• It typically causes subcutaneous infections but can rarely affect the gastrointestinal tract.
• Its indolent nature often leads to misdiagnosis as inflammatory bowel disease, tuberculosis, or malignancy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of pediatric gastrointestinal basidiobolomycosis.
• To highlight the diagnostic challenges and successful medical management of this rare condition.
• To emphasize the importance of considering fungal infections in abdominal masses.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 7-year-old Saudi girl.
• Clinical presentation: abdominal mass, fever, and eosinophilia.
• Diagnostic workup included radiological and pathological examinations.
• Treatment with oral Voriconazole.

Main Results:

• The patient presented with symptoms and imaging suggestive of malignancy.
• Pathological examination confirmed basidiobolomycosis.
• Full recovery was achieved with oral Voriconazole therapy.
• The patient showed no signs of recurrence.

Conclusions:

• Basidiobolomycosis can present as an abdominal mass in children, mimicking malignancy.
• Early diagnosis and medical treatment with antifungals like Voriconazole are effective.
• This case underscores the importance of considering rare fungal infections in the differential diagnosis of pediatric abdominal masses.