Retrospective report on the prevalence of Buruli Ulcer in Imo State, Nigeria

Background: Buruli ulcer (BU) is a necrotizing and debilitating cutaneous disease caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. It is considered the third most common mycobacterial infection after tuberculosis and leprosy. Buruli ulcer is known to be endemic in Nigeria since the report of its first case in 1967. Methods: The disease BU was evaluated by swabbing the entire undermined edge of the ulcer with three different sterile swab sticks from patients in Imo State, Nigeria. One sample was used to prepare a smear which was taken to Project diagnostic laboratory for Ziehl -Neelsen staining, while the remaining two swab sticks were taken for real time PCR (qPCR) test with the control used as a reference material. Biopsy and adipose tissue specimen were obtained from the center of the lesion. After successful growth of the mycobacterium, the IS2404, 16SrRNA or hsp-65 gene was employed using real-time or single-step gel -based technique to identify M. ulcerans. Results: Retrospective report of Clinical and laboratory data of eighty-six (86) patients were retrieved from the center of tuberculosis, leprosy and Buruli ulcer control unit Ministry of Health Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria between June 2016 to December 2022. Out of the twenty-seven (27) local government areas (LGA) that make up Imo State, Buruli ulcer was isolated from 17 (63 %) LGAs, with Ohaji-Egbema LGA having the highest number of infected individuals, followed by Oguta LGA. The disease was more prevalent amongst those within the age range of 41-60, followed by those between 21-40 years. Conclusion: Imo State, Nigeria has not been earlier implicated for BU, thus majority of these patients do not report back to the hospitals for treatment, but rather resort to the services of traditional healers or herbalist. Therefore, there is need to evaluate the efficacy of some of the herbal remedies usually employed by these herbalists in the treatment of this disease.