Rhinofacial conidiobolomycosis: Clinical and microbiological characterisation and shift in the management of a rare disease

Background Conidiobolomycosis is a rare tropical rhinofacial fungal infection which has not been well characterised. The available evidence in its management is sparse due to lack of clinical studies and the limited data on antifungal susceptibility patterns. Objective To analyse the clinical manifestations, antifungal treatment and outcomes of patients with conidiobolomycosis and to determine antifungal susceptibility profiles of the isolates. Patients/methods Retrospective analysis of data of all patients with a diagnosis of conidiobolomycosis confirmed by histopathology and culture at a tertiary care hospital from 2012 to 2019 was done. Results There were 22 patients, 21 males and one female, with a mean age of 37.1 years. Most common presenting symptom was nasal obstruction, found in 20 (90.90%) patients. Patients who presented within 12 months had a better cure rate (85%) compared to those who presented late (67%). Among the 19 patients who had a follow‐up, good outcome was seen in 15 of the 17 (88.24%) patients who were on itraconazole or potassium iodide containing regimen. Of the six patients who received additional trimethoprim‐sulphamethoxazole (co‐trimoxazole), 67% showed good outcome with two patients showing complete cure and two patients still on treatment with significant improvement. High minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were noted for azoles and amphotericin B, whereas co‐trimoxazole showed lowest MIC ranges. Conclusion Itraconazole and potassium iodide are reasonable first‐line options for the treatment of conidiobolomycosis. Good clinical response to KI and comparatively lower MIC of co‐trimoxazole are promising. Further studies are required for developing clinical breakpoints that can predict therapeutic outcomes.