Basidiobolus and Cercospora from Human Infections

Abstract

In subcutaneous lesions of two Indonesian children, hyphae of wide dimensions and with few septa were observed. From one of these patients 65 colonies of Basidiobolus ranarum were isolated. The second patient had almost recovered before a mycological study was made and no fungus was isolated. The patients recovered although lesions were extensive and infection persisted 9 months in one case and 4 years in the other. From a third Indonesian patient with cutaneous and subcutaneous lesions involving most of the face, ears and nasal mucosa, 150 colonies of Cercospora apii were isolated. In sections of the skin the fungus is easily observed in the form of brown, septate hyphae. The lesions have persisted for many years and specific therapy has failed. Leaf spots were produced experimentally on lettuce, potato and tomato with the strain of C. apii isolated from the patient. Persistent and progressive lesions have not been produced in attempted experimental infections of animals with either fungus. The importance of the saprophytic occurrence of more familiar fungus pathogens of man is briefly discussed.