Confirming autochthonous buruli ulcer cases in Burkina Faso, West Africa

Abstract

Environmental Mycobacterium ulcerans causes a disabling skin disease called Buruli ulcer. Recent studies completed the knowledge of the evolving geographic extension and epidemiology of Buruli ulcer in West Africa, where Côte d’Ivoire is reporting the highest number of cases. We report seven polymerase chain reaction-documented patients in Burkina Faso, a neighboring country of Côte d’Ivoire, where previously Buruli ulcer cases were confirmed primarily using clinical arguments.