2018/01/12 by Jeannette Guarner · 65 citations
Medicine · Veterinary · #Mycobacterium research and diagnosis #Infectious Diseases and Mycology #Fungal Infections and Studies #Mycobacterium ulcerans #Buruli ulcer #Clarithromycin #Histopathology #Disease #Mycobacterium #Medicine #Epidemiology #Streptomycin #Pathology #Tuberculosis #Dermatology #Biology #Microbiology #Antibiotics
paper · pdf · doi:10.1128/jcm.01507-17
published in Journal of Clinical Microbiology 56(4) (American Society for Microbiology)
openalex publication_date 2018/01/12 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/15
ABSTRACT Buruli ulcer is caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans . This neglected disease occurs in scattered foci around the world, with a higher concentration of cases in West Africa. The mycobacteria produce mycolactones that cause tissue necrosis. The disease presents as a painless skin nodule that ulcerates as necrosis expands. Finding acid-fast bacilli in smears or histopathology, culturing the mycobacteria, and performing M. ulcerans PCR in presumptive cases confirm the diagnosis. Medical treatment with oral rifampin and intramuscular streptomycin or oral treatment with rifampin plus clarithromycin for 8 weeks is supported by the World Health Organization. This review summarizes the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnostic tests, and advances in treatment.