Mycobacterium ulcerans disease (Buruli ulcer) in rural hospital, Southern Benin, 1997-2001

Abstract

Data from 1,700 patients living in southern Benin were collected at the Centre Sanitaire et Nutritionnel Gbemoten, Zagnanado, Benin, from 1997 through 2001. In the Zou region in 1999, Buruli ulcer (BU) had a higher detection rate (21.5/100,000) than leprosy (13.4/100,000) and tuberculosis (20.0/100,000). More than 13% of the patients had osteomyelitis. Delay in seeking treatment declined from 4 months in 1989 to 1 month in 2001, and median hospitalization time decreased from 9 months in 1989 to 1 month in 2001. This reduction is attributed, in part, to implementing an international cooperation program, creating a national BU program, and making advances in patient care.

Figure 1

Map of Benin with the four Buruli ulcer–endemic regions: the region of Zou (Z), the region of Atlantique (A), the region of Mono (M), and the region of Oueme (O).

Figure 2

Number of Buruli ulcer (BU) patients by region, 1992–2001.

Figure 3

Number of Buruli ulcer (BU) patients from five districts of the Zou Region who were admitted to the Centre Sanitaire et Nutritionnel Gbemoten (Benin), 1992–2001.

Figure 4

Buruli ulcer (BU) in two districts of the Oueme region and one district of Atlantique region, 1992–2001.

Figure 5

Median patient delay and interquartile range by Buruli ulcer (BU) clinical form.

Figure 6

Median duration of hospitalization and interquartile range by Buruli ulcer (BU) clinical form.

Figure 7

Median patient delay, Centre Sanitaire et Nutritionnel Gbemoten (Benin), 1989–2001.

Figure 8

Median duration of hospitalization for Buruli ulcer, Centre Sanitaire et Nutritionnel Gbemoten (Benin), 1989–2001.