Basidiobolus omanensis sp. nov. Causing Angioinvasive Abdominal Basidiobolomycosis

Abstract

Human infectious fungal diseases are increasing, despite improved hygienic conditions. We present a case of gastrointestinal basidiobolomycosis (GIB) in a 20-year-old male with a history of progressively worsening abdominal pain. The causative agent was identified as a novel Basidiobolus species. Validation of its novelty was established by analysis of the partial ribosomal operon of two isolates from different organs. Phylogeny of ITS and LSU rRNA showed that these isolates belonged to the genus Basidiobolus, positioned closely to B. heterosporus and B. minor. Morphological and physiological data supported the identity of the species, which was named Basidiobolus omanensis, with CBS 146281 as the holotype. The strains showed high minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to fluconazole (>64 µg/mL), itraconazole and voriconazole (>16 µg/mL), anidulafungin and micafungin (>16 µg/mL), but had a low MIC to amphotericin B (1 µg/mL). The pathogenic role of B. omanensis in gastrointestinal disease is discussed. We highlight the crucial role of molecular identification of these rarely encountered opportunistic fungi.

A Psittacine bite and subcutaneous basidiobolomycosis: A case with a therapeutic challenge

“…Most case reports document involvement of lower extremity with traumatic implantation from contaminated soil [ 7 ]. There have been few cases documented with gastrointestinal basidiobolomycosis from India and abroad with B. ranarum and B. omanensis [ 8 , 9 ]. A case report of a 42 year old male diabetic patient with features suggestive of lung abscess and multiple target organ damage showed B. ranarum as the etiological agent [ 10 ].…”

An old confusion: Entomophthoromycosis versus mucormycosis and their main differences

“…Entomophthoromycosis is caused by species of orders Basidiobolales and Entomophthorales which are Basidiobolus and Conidiobolus , respectively (both in the subphylum: Entomophthoromycotina). The main species causing basidiobolomycosis is B. ranarum , but cases of B. meristosporus , B. omanensis , and B. haptosporus have also been reported ( Kamalam and Thambiah, 1984 ; Sanglard et al, 2017 ; Bshabshe et al, 2020 ; Al-Hatmi et al, 2021 ). Finally, conidiobolomycosis is caused by Conidiobolus coronatus, Conidiobolus pachyzygosporus, Conidiobolus lamprauges , and Conidiobolus incongruus ( Walsh et al, 1994 ; Wüppenhorst et al, 2010 ; Kimura et al, 2011 ; Das et al, 2019 ; Stavropoulou et al, 2020 ).…”

Disseminated Basidiobolomycosis Caused by Basidiobolus omanensis in a Child with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Case Report and Literature Review

“…Basidiobolus is a genus with eight phylogenetically distinct species, including B. haptosporus , B. heterosporus , B. magnus , B. meristosporus , B. microspores , B. minor , B. omanensis , and B. ranarum [ 3 ]. The majority of human infections are caused by Basidiobolus ranarum [ 4 ]. However, one case of Basidiobolus omanensis has been previously described from Oman causing gastrointestinal basidiobolomycosis (GIB [ 4 ].…”

“…The majority of human infections are caused by Basidiobolus ranarum [ 4 ]. However, one case of Basidiobolus omanensis has been previously described from Oman causing gastrointestinal basidiobolomycosis (GIB [ 4 ]. Because of the disease's rarity, recognizing the microbiological and histopathological features can be difficult.…”