Giant orbitofacial basidiobolomycosis: diagnostic and management challenges in a resource limited environment.

Abstract

Basidiobolomycosis, a rare disease caused by the fungus Basidiobolusranarum, an environmental saprophyte, member of the class Zygomycetes; order Entomophthorales, found worldwide is an opportunistic infection that can be life-threatening in immune compromised patients. This report presents an unusual case of a giant orbito-facial basidiobolomycosis in a 30-year-old, otherwise healthy Nigerian farmer. The diagnostic and treatment challenges peculiar in our environment were also discussed.

Key words: orbitofacial lesions, fungal infections, basidiobolomycosis, Splendore-Hoeppli phenomenon.