<i>Basidiobolus omanensis</i> sp. nov. Causing Angioinvasive Abdominal Basidiobolomycosis

oleh: Abdullah M. S. Al-Hatmi, Abdullah Balkhair, Ibrahim Al-Busaidi, Marcelo Sandoval-Denis, Saif Al-Housni, Hashim Ba Taher, Asmaa Hamdan Al Shehhi, Sameer Raniga, Maha Al Shaibi, Turkiya Al Siyabi, Jacques F. Meis, G. Sybren de Hoog, Ahmed Al-Rawahi, Zakariya Al Muharrmi, Ahmed Al-Harrasi, Badriya Al Adawi

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2021-08-01

Deskripsi

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 <i>Basidiobolus</i> 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 <i>Basidiobolus,</i> positioned closely to <i>B. heterosporus</i> and <i>B. minor</i>. Morphological and physiological data supported the identity of the species, which was named <i>Basidiobolus omanensis</i>, 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 <i>B. omanensis</i> in gastrointestinal disease is discussed. We highlight the crucial role of molecular identification of these rarely encountered opportunistic fungi.