Mycobacterium ulcerans disease (Buruli ulcer) in rural hospital, Southern Benin, 1997-2001.
Data from 1,700 patients living in southern Benin were collected at the Centre Sanitaire et Nutritionnel Gbemoten, Zagnanado, Benin, from 1997 through 2001. In the Zou region in 1999, Buruli ulcer (BU) had a higher detection rate (21.5/100,000) than leprosy (13.4/100,000) and tuberculosis (20.0/100,000). More than 13% of the patients had osteomyelitis. Delay in seeking treatment declined from 4 months in 1989 to 1 month in 2001, and median hospitalization time decreased from 9 months in 1989 to 1 month in 2001. This reduction is attributed, in part, to implementing an international cooperation program, creating a national BU program, and making advances in patient care.
Debacker
Martine
M
Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.
Aguiar
Julia
J
Steunou
Christian
C
Zinsou
Claude
C
Meyers
Wayne M
WM
Guédénon
Augustin
A
Scott
Janet T
JT
Dramaix
Michèle
M
Portaels
Françoise
F
D001541:Benin / Q000453:epidemiology; D006760:Hospitalization; D006780:Hospitals, Rural; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D019911:Mycobacterium ulcerans / Q000302:isolation & purification