Yaws, Haemophilus ducreyi, and Other Bacterial Causes of Cutaneous Ulcer Disease in the South Pacific Islands

• Published in: Dermatologic clinics Vol. 39; no. 1; pp. 15 - 22
• Main Authors: G-Beiras, Camila, Ubals, Maria, Corbacho-Monné, Marc, Vall-Mayans, Martí, Mitjà, Oriol
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01-01-2021
• Subjects: Cutaneous ulcers; Haemophilus ducreyi; Neglected tropical diseases; South Pacific islands; Yaws; Neglected tropical diseases; Yaws; Cutaneous ulcers; South Pacific islands; Haemophilus ducreyi
• ISSN: 0733-8635; 1558-0520
• DOI: 10.1016/j.det.2020.08.002

Cutaneous ulcers in the tropics are a painful and debilitating condition that anchors people into poverty. In rural regions of the South Pacific, infectious cutaneous ulcers are caused mainly by bacteria, including Treponema pallidum pertenue (yaws), Haemophilus ducreyi, and polymicrobial ulcers. For this group of infections the term cutaneous ulcer disease (CUD) is proposed. Some infections can cause malformations on the bone that have a permanent impact on lives in endemic communities. Better characterization of CUD may help design diagnostic tools and more effective antimicrobial therapies. This review updates the knowledge of CUD and discusses optimized terminology and syndromic management.