CLINICAL FEATURES OF MYCOBACTERIUM ULCERANS INFECTION

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Abstract
SUMMARY: Mycobacterium ulcerans infection was first reported in patients from the Bairnsdale district in Victoria in 1937, although ulcers probably due to this organism have been described in Africa since the last century. Characteristically the disease occurs in patients resident in defined areas, and such areas have been identified in many countries throughout the world. In Victoria cases have occurred recently in patients living some distance from Bairnsdale, and there appears to have been some extension of the endemic area. At the same time cases have occurred in koalas, but there appears to be no direct transmission between the koala and human cases.The characteristic clinical features of the disease in humans are described and illustrated. In recent Victorian cases the incidence appears to be seasonal, cases appearing in late autumn and winter months. Skin testing with the test reagent Burulin may be of value when diagnostic histological or microbiological material is lacking.