There are over 100,000 species of fungi. Many fungi are good and useful (edible mushrooms would be an example of these) while some cause problems (some fungi can injure plants and humans). Every week the IEQ Review will describe a specific microorganism, its morphological origin and potential health effects.  If you would like to know about a specific organism and/or would like it published in The IEQ Review please email Dr. Rajiv Sahay with the Environmental Diagnostics Laboratory (EDL) at Pure Air Control Services laboratory@pureaircontrols.com.

This week we will cover...   
Basidiobolus spp.
 

 
Basidiobolus ranarum is the etiologic agent of subcutaneous chronic zygomycosis in man. This infection is also called entomophthoromycosis basidiobolae. It is characterized by its granulomatous nature and formation of hard, nonulcerating subcutaneous masses at limbs, chest, back, and buttocks. Systemic infection is rare. Basidiobolus is a true pathogen, causing infections in immunocompetent host. However, recent data on angioinvasive infections due to Basidiobolus in immunocompromised patients suggest that it is emerging as an opportunistic pathogen as well .Basidiobolus is a filamentous fungus isolated from dung of amphibians, reptiles, and insectivorous bats, as well as wood lice, plant debris and soil. Although it is cosmopolitan, the human infections due to Basidiobolus are reported mostly from Africa, South America, and tropical Asia. Basidiobolus can cause infections in animals as well as humans. Cutaneous lesions in amphibians, subcutaneous infection in horses and gastrointestinal lesions in dogs have so far been reported.