title: Consensus recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment and control of Mycobacterium ulcerans infection (Bairnsdale or Buruli ulcer) in Victoria, Australia.
abstract: Mycobacterium ulcerans causes slowly progressive, destructive skin and soft tissue infections, known as Bairnsdale or Buruli ulcer (BU). Forty-six delegates with experience in the management of BU attended a 1-day conference in Melbourne on 10 February 2006, with the aim of developing a consensus approach to the diagnosis, treatment and control of BU. An initial draft document was extended and improved during a facilitated round table discussion. BU is an environmental infection that occurs in specific locations. The main risk factor for infection is contact with an endemic area. Prompt cleaning of abrasions sustained outdoors, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding mosquito bites may reduce an individual's risk of infection. BU can be rapidly and accurately diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction testing of ulcer swabs or biopsies. Best outcomes are obtained when the diagnosis is made early. To aid early diagnosis, health authorities should keep local populations informed of new outbreaks. BU is best treated with surgical excision, which, if possible, should include a small rim of healthy tissue. For small lesions this may be all that is required. However, there is a role for antibiotics for more extensive disease, and their use may allow more conservative surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. paul.johnson@austin.org.au
authors.forename: Paul D R
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hayman
authors.forename: Tricia Y
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Quek
authors.forename: Janet A M
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Fyfe
authors.forename: Grant A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Jenkin
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Buntine
authors.forename: Eugene
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Athan
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Birrell
authors.forename: Justin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: Caroline J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Lavender
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D019911:Mycobacterium ulcerans; D017192:Skin Diseases, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D014739:Victoria