Very little is known about this disease which destroys skin, flesh, and bones
Name
Madura foot (also known as mycetoma)
- The disease was first reported in the mid-19th century in the Indian town of Madura, which is where it gets its name
Transmission
- A chronic, progressively destructive disease affecting the foot but can also affect other body parts including skin, flesh, and bones
- Infection begins when fungi or bacteria enter the body through an injury such as a thorn prick
- Scientists have discovered 7 types of bacteria and 18 types of fungus that can cause Madura foot
- It cannot be transmitted from person-to-person
- Commonly affects:
- Poor people in rural areas
- Young male adults between 20 and 40 years
- Manual workers (labourers, herdsmen, etc.)
Geography
The organisms that cause Madura foot can be found worldwide, but there is a ‘Mycetoma/Madura foot belt’ consisting of the following countries:
- Venezuela, Chad, Ethiopia, India, Mauritania, Mexico, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen
Incubation Period
Madura foot is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) and as such, there is little data on the incubation period
Signs and Symptoms
- Painless masses on feet and other body parts
- Most commonly the extremities, back, and gluteal regions
- Discharge containing grains coming from the masses
- Can spread to the bone resulting in destruction, deformity and loss of function, which can lead to death
- If untreated, a secondary bacterial infection can occur, leading to:
- Pain
- Disability
- Septicemia (fatal infection/blood poisioning involving the whole body)
Diagnosis
- There are no simple diagnostic tests
- Biopsies of the infected tissue and grains in the discharge are the most common ways to identify the disease
- DNA sequencing is also possible
Treatment
- There is no specific treatment for Madura foot as treatment depends on the cause and the affected areas
- For bacterial infections, treatment usually consists of a combination of antibiotics used over a long period of time
- For fungal infections, treatment can be a combination of surgery or amputation and antifungal drugs
Prognosis
- Because Madura foot progresses slowly and is painless, many patients seek medical advice when it is too late and amputation is the only available treatment
- Early detection and treatment help reduce morbidity and improve outcomes
Prevention: What Can You Do?
- Preventing the infection is difficult as this is a neglected tropical disease (NTD)
- When visiting affected areas and endemic countries, do not walk barefoot
Madura Foot In the News
Sources:
http://www.who.int/buruli/mycetoma/en/
http://www.globalhealthnow.org/mycetoma-untold-story-2015.html