Family relationship, water contact and occurrence of Buruli ulcer in Benin.
BACKGROUND
Mycobacterium ulcerans disease (Buruli ulcer) is the most widespread mycobacterial disease in the world after leprosy and tuberculosis. How M. ulcerans is introduced into the skin of humans remains unclear, but it appears that individuals living in the same environment may have different susceptibilities.


OBJECTIVE
This study aims to determine whether frequent contacts with natural water sources, family relationship or the practice of consanguineous marriages are associated with the occurrence of Buruli ulcer (BU).


METHODS
Case control study.


METHODS
Department of Atlantique, Benin.


METHODS
BU-confirmed cases that were diagnosed and followed up at the BU detection and treatment center (CDTUB) of Allada (Department of the Atlantique, Benin) during the period from January 1st, 2006, to June 30th, 2008, with three matched controls (persons who had no signs or symptoms of active or inactive BU) for age, gender and village of residence per case.


METHODS
Contact with natural water sources, BU history in the family and the practice of consanguineous marriages.


RESULTS
A total of 416 participants were included in this study, including 104 cases and 312 controls. BU history in the family (p<0.001), adjusted by daily contact with a natural water source (p = 0.007), was significantly associated with higher odds of having BU (OR; 95% CI = 5.5; 3.0-10.0). The practice of consanguineous marriage was not associated with the occurrence of BU (p = 0.40). Mendelian disorders could explain this finding, which may influence individual susceptibility by impairing immunity.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that a combination of genetic factors and behavioral risk factors may increase the susceptibility for developing BU.
Sopoh
Ghislain Emmanuel
GE
Centre de Dépistage et de Traitement de l'Ulcère de Buruli d'Allada, Allada, Bénin.
Barogui
Yves Thierry
YT
Johnson
Roch Christian
RC
Dossou
Ange Dodji
AD
Makoutodé
Michel
M
Anagonou
Sévérin Y
SY
Kestens
Luc
L
Portaels
Françoise
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001541:Benin / Q000453:epidemiology; D054312:Buruli Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019911:Mycobacterium ulcerans / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D014867:Water / Q000469:parasitology*; D055815:Young Adult
D014867:Water