None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Buruli ulcer is a destructive disease of the skin and soft tissue that is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium ulcerans. There is currently a major outbreak of Buruli ulcer in Victoria, specifically in the Mornington and Bellarine Peninsulas. It is unclear how humans acquire the disease. Further information regarding how Buruli ulcer is transmitted may help to prevent the disease and its complications. This study is investigating whether people who live in or visit endemic areas carry the bacteria on their skin. This has implications for how Buruli ulcer is transmitted. Participants will self-collect swabs of their skin (of backs of elbows, wrists, calves and ankles), which will be tested for the presence of Mycobacterium ulcerans DNA by PCR.
Interventions
We will approach Buruli Ulcer(BU) patients and their friends and relatives living or visiting one endemic area where there is a major outbreak of Buruli ulcer currently (near Melbourne Australia).
After explanation and instruction via leaflet participants will be asked to self-collect skin swabs. They will dip a swab in sterile saline and self-swab their skin after a day outside in the endemic area. They will be asked to swab the back of the elbows, the back of the wrists, ankles and calves on
We will approach Buruli Ulcer(BU) patients and their friends and relatives living or visiting one endemic area where there is a major outbreak of Buruli ulcer currently (near Melbourne Australia). After explanation and instruction via leaflet participants will be asked to self-collect skin swabs. They will dip a swab in sterile saline and self-swab their skin after a day outside in the endemic area. They will be asked to swab the back of the elbows, the back of the wrists, ankles and calves on both sides of the body. Participants will also be asked to fill in a questionnaire about their activities and clothing. They will then mail the swabs to our research laboratory, where the swabs will be tested by PCR for the presence of M. ulcerans DNA. Informed written consent will be obtained. We will also enrol scientists involved in environmental surveys in the outbreak area, and ask them also to swab their elbows, wrists, ankles, backs of calves before showering at the end of the day. These swabs will be tested as above.
Sponsors
Austin Health
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
BU patients known to the principal investigator or the Infectious Diseases team at Austin Health who spend time in an endemic area. Friends and relatives of these patients recruited through the index patient, who stay with or spend time with them in the endemic area. Scientists working with our research team who spend a whole day in the endemic area collecting samples will also be recruited.
Exclusion criteria
Nil
Outcome results
None listed