Mycobacterium ulcerans disease (Buruli ulcer) in a rural hospital in Bas-Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, 2002-2004.
Buruli ulcer (BU), which is caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, is an important disabling skin disease. Its prevalence is highest in west and central Africa. We report an apparent resurgence of BU in the Bas-Congo Province, Democratic Republic of Congo. During a 28-month period in 2002-2004, the rural hospital of the Institut Médical Evangélique at Kimpese admitted 51 patients suspected of having BU. Bacteriologic, molecular biologic, and histopathologic studies confirmed BU in 36 of these patients. Extensive clinical data, treatment outcomes, and socioeconomic correlations are summarized. Osteomyelitis was an important complication. A multidisciplinary approach to BU control in the Bas-Congo is proposed, aimed primarily at active case detection.
Phanzu
Delphin M
DM
Institut Médical Evangélique, Kimpese Hospital, Kimpese, Bas-Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Bafende
Eric A
EA
Dunda
Barthelemy K
BK
Imposo
Desire B
DB
Kibadi
Anatole K
AK
Nsiangana
Samuel Z
SZ
Singa
Jackie N
JN
Meyers
Wayne M
WM
Suykerbuyk
Patrick
P
Portaels
Françoise
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015023:Democratic Republic of the Congo / Q000453:epidemiology; D019353:Endemic Diseases / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006780:Hospitals, Rural; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D019911:Mycobacterium ulcerans / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000209:etiology*