title: Mycobacterium ulcerans disease, Peru.
abstract: Eight adult patients (ages 18-58, 5 women) with Buruli ulcer (BU) confirmed by at least 2 diagnostic methods were seen in a 10-year period. Attempts to culture Mycobacterium ulcerans failed. Five patients came from jungle areas, and 3 from the swampy northern coast of Peru. The patients had 1-5 lesions, most of which were on the lower extremities. One patient had 5 clustered gluteal lesions; another patient had 2 lesions on a finger. Three patients were lost to follow-up. All 5 remaining patients had moderate disease. Diverse treatments (antituberculous drugs, World Health Organization [WHO] recommended antimicrobial drug treatment for BU, and for 3 patients, excision surgery) were successful. Only 1 patient (patient 7) received the specific drug treatment recommended by WHO. BU is endemic in Peru, although apparently infrequent. Education of populations and training of health workers are first needed to evaluate and understand the full extent of BU in Peru.
authors.affiliation: Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú.
authors.forename: Humberto
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Guerra
authors.forename: Juan Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Palomino
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Falconí
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bravo
authors.forename: Ninoska
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Donaires
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Van Marck
authors.forename: Françoise
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Portaels
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D054312:Buruli Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019911:Mycobacterium ulcerans / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010568:Peru / Q000453:epidemiology; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D028321:Plant Preparations