Presumptive Diagnosis of Buruli Ulcer based on Clinical Presentations

Authors : Paul Eniola OLUNİYİ

Pages : 36-41

Doi:10.5799/jmid.328843

View : 8 | Download : 5

Publication Date : 2017-03-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objectives: Buruli ulcer disease insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(BUD); is a neglected tropical disease of the skin, subcutaneous tissue and occasionally bone. Except in endemic areas, the diagnosis of BUD can be a challenge. This study was an attempt to presumptively identify cases of Buruli ulcer in the absence of a laboratory confirmation. Methods: A presumptive diagnosis of Buruli ulcer by directly comparing clinical presentations with WHO-confirmed pictorial images of the disease was carried out on patients with suspected Buruli ulcers presenting to two government-owned hospitals in Ogun State, South-West, Nigeria. Results: Eighteen suspected cases of BUD from as many outpatients were identified within a three-month period, comprising 13 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(72.2%); females and five insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(27.8%); males. 10 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(55.6%); and eight insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(44.4%); of them were from the tertiary and secondary health facilities, respectively. Eleven insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(61%); of the ulcers were located on the leg, four insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(22%); on the breast and four insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(22%); on the hand. 14 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(77.8%); of the patients were above 40 years of age, two insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(11.1%); were between 18 and 30 years while only two insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(11.1%); were below 15 years. 16 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(89%); of the patients could not remember how the ulcer started while two insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(11%); of them said their lesions started with a scratch. 7insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(39%); of the ulcers were painless; 11 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(61%); were minimally painful while 15 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(83%); had undermined edges which are presentations consistent with Buruli ulcer disease. Conclusions: The detection of these ulcers in just two hospitals and within a period of three months is significant and suggestive of Buruli ulcer being probably more prevalent in South-west Nigeria than aforethought. J Microbiol Infect Dis 2017; 7insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(1);: 36-41
Keywords : Buruli ulcer, presumptive diagnosis, clinical presentations, Ogun State, Nigeria