Antibiotic - Pharmacotherapy is of very limited benefit in the treatment of Buruli ulcer. Rifampin has been used with marginal benefit for the treatment of very early lesions and for medical supplementation after excision. Cross-resistance may occur. Treat for 6-9 mo or until 6 mo have elapsed from conversion to sputum culture negativity. The majority of patients will have complete healing, with or without significant scarring or impairment.
Little morbidity occurs with the disease, unless ulcers extend to muscle or bone.
Metastatic bone lesions may develop. Pathology of Tropical and Extraordinary Diseases. Hunter's Tropical Medicine. Human Mycobacterium ulcerans infections developing at sites of trauma to skin. Heat treatment of Mycobacterium ulcerans infections without surgical excision.