Buruli Ulcer: Understanding the Silent Flesh-Eating Disease
Summary: This article explores Buruli ulcer, a debilitating neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium ulcerans, often dubbed the “silent flesh-eating disease” due to its painless destruction of skin and soft tissues. Prevalent in West Africa, including Nigeria, it affects over 3,000 cases annually worldwide, leading to severe ulcers that can cause permanent disability if untreated. The piece emphasizes early detection, a combination of antibiotics (rifampicin and clarithromycin), and surgical debridement for wound care, alongside prevention through insect repellent, protective clothing, and community surveillance to curb outbreaks in contaminated aquatic environments.
Key Highlights:
- Transmission occurs via contact with contaminated water or mud, possibly through insect vectors like water bugs; no person-to-person spread.
- Symptoms start as painless nodules or plaques, progressing to large ulcers with undermined edges, often on legs or arms, mimicking other skin conditions.
- Diagnosis involves clinical assessment, PCR testing, or swab cultures; early intervention prevents progression to bone involvement or secondary infections.
- Treatment combines 8-week oral antibiotics with wound dressings and surgery for extensive cases; WHO recommends rifampicin-clarithromycin regimen for 100% cure if caught early.
- Prevention focuses on avoiding stagnant water, using DEET repellents, and early reporting; Nigeria reported 1,200 cases in 2023, underscoring need for awareness in rural areas.
Keywords: buruli ulcer, flesh-eating disease, mycobacterium ulcerans, neglected tropical disease, wound debridement