Controlled Study of Mycetoma: Development of Diagnosis, Treatment And Controlled Programme Northern India

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Mycetoma is also known as Madura foot, is a patient fungal infection of the skin and the tissues just under the skin. Mycetoma is also known as Madura foot, is a patient fungal infection of the skin and the tissues just under the skin.

ETIOLOGY:  The most prevailing causative agent of mycetoma worldwide is Mycetoma Mycetomatis. Etiologic agents of eumycetoma can be classified based on the type of grain they produce, generally classified as black, white or pale unstained or yellow- to -yellow- brown grains.

PATHOGENESIS: The pathogens including both bacteria and fungi, infection leads to the causative microorganisms spreading through the fascial planes to the underlying muscles and bones and accordingly to the destruction and deformity of the osseous and muscular tissues and disfiguration.

DIAGNOSIS: Diagnosed based on clinical aspects and grain colour. Culture and histopathology are the gold standard methods. Identification of the causative agent can be made by bacteriological culture, biochemical characteristics and a series of technical phenotypic tests.

TREATMENT: Eumycetoma is treated with antifungal agents in combination with surgical excision whereas actinomycetoma is treated with antibacterial agents.

CONTROL PROGRAMMES OF MYCETOMA: Therapies that work against mycetoma are limited. Actinomycetoma is generally treatable with antibiotics and Eumycetoma is generally treated with long- term antifungal medicine. CONCLUSION: The clinical overview of mycetoma is necessary to raise awareness about its presence due to the large population of immigrants from endemic regions. Since no standard outlined treatment measure has been given by World Health Organization (WHO).