First human culture-proven Australian case of entomophthoromycosis 294

The first human case of ntomophthoromycosis aused by Basidiobolus ranarum in Australia is described. Upon first presentation this rare disease was not recognized, but microscopy ofbiopsy sections and identification f the fungal isolate allowed this condition to be identified. Treatment with fluconazole was successful. Entomophthoromycosis caused by Basidiobolus ranarum ( = Basidiobolus haptosporus) is a chronic inflammatory disease which is generally restricted to the subcutaneous ti sue. The fungus causing this disease belongs to the order Entomophthorales of the Zygomycetes. This condition is characterized by slowly developing, massive, palpable, indurated, non-ulcerating, non-painful, subcutaneous masses on the limbs, trunk or buttocks [7]. The aetiological agent, B. ranarum, is a soil fungus [15]. The mycelium in tissue is more regularly septate than other members of the Zygomycetes and has a characteristic eosinophilic halo usually referred to as the Splendore-Hoepli reaction [13]. We report the first human culture-proven case of entomophthoromycosis caused by B. ranarum in Australia. CASE H ISTOR