Buruli ulcer

Last Updated: 2020-08-13

Author(s): Anzengruber F., Navarini A.

ICD11: 1B21.20

  • Cook 1897.
  • Kleinschmidt 1935.
  • McCallum 1948.

Buruli ulcer.

  • Atypical mycobacteriosis caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans.
  • Infection with the atypical mycobacterium, Mycobacterium ulcerans, an obligatory pathogen

  • 3. most frequent mycobacteriosis in immunocompetent persons
  • Mainly found in the tropics and subtropical regions

  • Pathogen: Mycobacterium ulcerans.
  • Incubation time: 2-14 weeks.
  • The path of infection is not clear. Possibly via contaminated soil, plants, possibly insects or from person to person.

  • Painless, slightly scaly, centrally draining, partly oedematous nodules on the legs or trunk, which in the course of time develop into a size-progressive ulcer (up to 15% of KOF)
  • In rare cases there is involvement of the fascia, muscles and bones

  • Clinical features.
  • Bact. smear

Granulomas with giant Langerhans cells, acanthosis, hyperkeratosis.

The occurrence of widespread necroses and the sowing of mycobacteria on the bones is possible. Spontaneous remission with scarring is possible.

  1. Meyers, W.M. and F. Portaels, Mycobacterium ulcerans Infection (Buruli Ulcer), in Tropical Infectious Diseases. 2006, Elsevier BV. p. 428-435.
  2. Phillips, R., et al., Sensitivity of PCR Targeting the IS2404 Insertion Sequence of Mycobacterium ulcerans in an Assay Using Punch Biopsy Specimens for Diagnosis of Buruli Ulcer. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 2005. 43(8): p. 3650-3656.