Buruli ulcer

Buruli ulcer
Buruli ulcer on the ankle of a person from Ghana.
Classification and external resources
Specialty	Infectious disease
ICD-10	A31.1 (ILDS A31.120)
ICD-9-CM	031.1
DiseasesDB	8568
Patient UK	Buruli ulcer
MeSH	D054312
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Buruli ulcer (also known as the Bairnsdale ulcer, Searls ulcer, or Daintree ulcer) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. The early stage of the infection is characterised by a painless nodule or area of swelling. This nodule can turn into an ulcer. The ulcer may be larger inside than at the surface of the skin, and can be surrounded by swelling. As the disease worsens, bone can be infected. Buruli ulcers most commonly affect the arms or legs; fever is uncommon.

M. ulcerans releases a toxin known as mycolactone, which decreases immune system function and results in tissue death. Bacteria from the same family also cause tuberculosis and leprosy (M. tuberculosis and M. leprae, respectively). How the disease is spread is not known. Sources of water may be involved in the spread. As of 2013 there is no effective vaccine.

If people are treated early, antibiotics for eight weeks are effective in 80%. The treatment often includes the medications rifampicin and streptomycin.Clarithromycin or moxifloxacin are sometimes used instead of streptomycin. Other treatments may include cutting out the ulcer. After the infection heals, the area typically has a scar.

Buruli ulcers occurs most commonly in rural sub-Saharan Africa especially Cote d'Ivoire, but can also occur in Asia, the Western Pacific and the Americas. Cases have occurred in more than 32 countries. About five to six thousand cases occur every year. The disease also occurs in a number of animals other than humans.Albert Ruskin Cook was the first to describe buruli ulcers in 1897.

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