Buruli Ulcer Medication

  • Author: Aaron Z Hoover, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Apr 13, 2010
 

Medication Summary

The goal of therapy is to reduce morbidity and prevent complications.

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Antibiotics

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Rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)

 

Inhibits DNA-dependent bacterial but not mammalian RNA polymerase. Cross-resistance may occur.

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Antibiotic, Quinolone

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Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)

 

Fluoroquinolone that inhibits bacterial DNA synthesis and, consequently, growth, by inhibiting DNA gyrase and topoisomerases, which are required for replication, transcription, and translation of genetic material. Quinolones have broad activity against gram-positive and gram-negative aerobic organisms. Has no activity against anaerobes. Continue treatment for at least 2 d (7-14 d typical) after signs and symptoms have disappeared.

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Moxifloxacin (Avelox, Vigamox)

 

Inhibits the A subunits of DNA gyrase, resulting in inhibition of bacterial DNA replication and transcription.

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Antibiotic, Aminoglycoside

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Streptomycin sulfate (G-Mycin, Garamycin)

 

For treatment of susceptible mycobacterial infections.

Use in combination with rifampin.

May be used in patients with severe liver dysfunction (transaminase levels >3- to 5-fold normal).

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Amikacin (Amikin)

 

Irreversibly binds to 30S subunit of bacterial ribosomes; blocks recognition step in protein synthesis; causes growth inhibition.

Use patient's IBW for dosage calculation. Same principles of drug monitoring for gentamicin apply to amikacin.

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Antibiotic, Macrolide

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Clarithromycin (Biaxin)

 

Semisynthetic macrolide antibiotic that reversibly binds to P site of 50S ribosomal subunit of susceptible organisms and may inhibit RNA-dependent protein synthesis by stimulating dissociation of peptidyl t-RNA from ribosomes, causing bacterial growth inhibition.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Aaron Z Hoover, MD  Staff Dermatologist/Dermatopathologist, San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium (SAUSHEC); Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Aaron Z Hoover, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, Christian Medical & Dental Society, and International Society of Dermatopathology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Franklin Flowers, MD  Chief, Division of Dermatology, Professor, Department of Medicine and Otolaryngology, Affiliate Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Pathology, University of Florida College of Medicine

Franklin Flowers, MD, is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Richard P Vinson, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Mountain View Dermatology, PA

Richard P Vinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Texas Dermatological Society, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Paul Krusinski, MD  Director of Dermatology, Fletcher Allen Health Care; Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine

Paul Krusinski, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Catherine M Quirk, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

The author and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of the following previous authors, Brian P. Green, DO, MS, PA-C, Sean T. Gunning, MD, and Mary K. Mather, MD, to the development and writing of this article. The author and editors of eMedicine would also like to thank Wayne M. Meyers, MD, for his clinical images from his article with Douglas S. Walsh, MD, in Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.[3] The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous Chief Editor, William D. James, MD, to the development and writing of this article.

References

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  14. Marsollier L, Stinear T, Aubry J, et al. Aquatic plants stimulate the growth of and biofilm formation by Mycobacterium ulcerans in axenic culture and harbor these bacteria in the environment. Appl Environ Microbiol. Feb 2004;70(2):1097-103. [Medline].

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  19. Rondini S, Mensah-Quainoo E, Junghanss T, Pluschke G. What does detection of Mycobacterium ulcerans DNA in the margin of an excised Buruli ulcer lesion tell us?. J Clin Microbiol. Nov 2006;44(11):4273-5. [Medline].

  20. Siegmund V, Adjei O, Nitschke J, et al. Dry reagent-based polymerase chain reaction compared with other laboratory methods available for the diagnosis of Buruli ulcer disease. Clin Infect Dis. Jul 1 2007;45(1):68-75. [Medline].

  21. Leigheb G, Cammarota T, Zavattaro E, et al. Ultrasonography for the monitoring of subcutaneous damage in Mycobacterium ulcerans infection (Buruli ulcer). Ultrasound Med Biol. Oct 2008;34(10):1554-63. [Medline].

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  29. Phillips R, Adjei O, Lucas S, Benjamin N, Wansbrough-Jones M. Pilot randomized double-blind trial of treatment of Mycobacterium ulcerans disease (Buruli ulcer) with topical nitrogen oxides. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. Aug 2004;48(8):2866-70. [Medline].

  30. Nackers F, Dramaix M, Johnson RC, et al. BCG vaccine effectiveness against Buruli ulcer: a case-control study in Benin. Am J Trop Med Hyg. Oct 2006;75(4):768-74. [Medline].

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  32. Bretzel G, Siegmund V, Racz P, et al. Post-surgical assessment of excised tissue from patients with Buruli ulcer disease: progression of infection in macroscopically healthy tissue. Trop Med Int Health. Nov 2005;10(11):1199-206. [Medline].

  33. Minutilli E, Orefici G, Pardini M, et al. Squamous cell carcinoma secondary to buruli ulcer. Dermatol Surg. Jul 2007;33(7):872-5. [Medline].

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Buruli ulcer can extend to 15% of a person's skin surface and may destroy nerves and blood vessels. Metastatic bone lesions may develop.
An edematous Buruli ulcer in a 9-year-old Togolese girl. Courtesy of Wayne M. Meyers, MD.
Photo of Tongolese girl taken 5 years after the Buruli ulcer had been excised and repaired with autologous split-skin graft by G.B. Priuli, MD. Courtesy of Wayne M. Meyers, MD.
Table. Categories of Treatment
CategoryForm of DiseaseTreatmentPrimary AimSecondary Aimlevel of Health Care SystemDiagnosis
ISmall early lesion (eg, nodules, papules, plaques, ulcers < 5 cm in diameter)For papules and nodules, if immediate excision and suturing is possible, start antibiotics at least 24 hours before surgery and continue for 4 weeks. Otherwise, treat all lesions in this category with antibiotics for 8 weeks. Cure without surgery except for simple removal of dead tissueReduce or prevent recurrenceCommunity health centers and district hospitalsClinical and laboratory
IINonulcerative and ulcerative plaque and edematous forms



Large ulcerative lesions (>5 cm in diameter)



Lesions in the head and neck region, particularly the face



Treat with antibiotics for at least 4 weeks, then surgery (if necessary), followed by another 4 weeks of antibiotics.Reduce extent of the surgical excisionReduce or prevent recurrenceDistrict and tertiary hospitalsClinical and laboratory
IIIDisseminated/mixed forms (eg, osteitis, osteomyelitis, joint involvement)Treat with antibiotics for at least 1 week before surgery and continue for a total of 8 weeks.Reduce M ulcers infection and dissemination before and after surgeryReduce or prevent recurrence; reduce extent of surgical excisionDistrict and tertiary hospitalsClinical and laboratory
From " Provisional guidance on the role of specific antibiotics in the management of Mycobacterium ulcerans disease (Buruli ulcer). "[24]
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