Read on Twitter
BURULI ULCER - The gory flesh eating bacteria.
This image, scary huh? It is caused by a bacteria known a Mycobacterium ulcerans, the same family with the organisms that cause TB and leprosy. Although the mode of transmission isn’t fully understood, treatments are available.
This image, scary huh? It is caused by a bacteria known a Mycobacterium ulcerans, the same family with the organisms that cause TB and leprosy. Although the mode of transmission isn’t fully understood, treatments are available.
Early presentation at a hospital will go a long way in preventing serious disabilities/morbidity.
The first sign of Buruli ulcer is a painless swollen bump on the arm or leg, often similar in appearance to an insect bite. Sometimes the swollen area instead appears as a patch...
The first sign of Buruli ulcer is a painless swollen bump on the arm or leg, often similar in appearance to an insect bite. Sometimes the swollen area instead appears as a patch...
...of firm, raised skin about three centimeters across called a "plaque"; or a more widespread swelling under the skin. Over the course of a few weeks, the original swollen area expands to form an irregularly shaped patch of raised skin.
After about four weeks, the affected skin sloughs off leaving a PAINLESS ulcer. In some people, the ulcer may heal on its own or remain small but stay unhealed for years. In others, it continues to grow wider and sometimes deeper, with skin at the margin dying and sloughing off.
Large ulcers may extend deep into underlying tissue, causing bone infection and exposing muscle, tendon, and bone to the air. When ulcers extend into muscles and tendons, parts of these tissues can be replaced by scar tissue, immobilizing the body part and resulting in...
permanent disability. Exposed ulcers can be infected by other bacteria, causing the wound to become reddened, painful, and foul smelling.
Buruli ulcers can appear anywhere on the body, but are typically on the limbs.
Buruli ulcers can appear anywhere on the body, but are typically on the limbs.
PATHOGENESIS
How M. ulcerans is transmitted to humans remains unclear, but somehow bacteria enter the skin and begin to grow. Ulceration is primarily caused by the bacterial toxin mycolactone.
In areas endemic for Buruli ulcer, disease occurs near stagnant bodies of water,
How M. ulcerans is transmitted to humans remains unclear, but somehow bacteria enter the skin and begin to grow. Ulceration is primarily caused by the bacterial toxin mycolactone.
In areas endemic for Buruli ulcer, disease occurs near stagnant bodies of water,
... leading to the long-standing hypothesis that M. ulcerans is somehow transmitted to humans from aquatic environments.
PREVENTION
Buruli ulcer can be prevented by avoiding contact with aquatic environments in endemic areas.
PREVENTION
Buruli ulcer can be prevented by avoiding contact with aquatic environments in endemic areas.
The risk of acquiring Buruli ulcer can be reduced by wearing long sleeves and pants, using insect repellent, and cleaning and covering any wounds as soon as they are noticed. There is no specific vaccine for preventing Buruli ulcer although,
the BCG vaccine typically given to children to protect against tuberculosis offers temporary partial protection from Buruli ulcer
TREATMENT:
Buruli ulcer is treated through a combination of antibiotics to kill the bacteria, and wound care to support the healing of the ulcer.
TREATMENT:
Buruli ulcer is treated through a combination of antibiotics to kill the bacteria, and wound care to support the healing of the ulcer.
The most widely used antibiotic regimen is once daily oral rifampicin plus twice daily oral clarithromycin, recommended by the World Health Organization. Surgery/amputation maybe required if bone has been infected, again, EARLY PRESENTATION TO THE HOSPITAL GIVES BETTER PROGNOSIS.
Help spread awareness, if you notice such a PAINLESS plaque, see a doctor.
DO NOT SELF MEDICATE!!!
DO NOT SELF MEDICATE!!!
