What is the Difference Between Buruli Ulcer and Leprosy

The key difference between Buruli ulcer and leprosy is that Buruli ulcer is caused by a type of bacterium called Mycobacterium ulcerans, while leprosy is caused by a type of bacterium called Mycobacterium leprae.

Mycobacterium is a genus which has over 190 species. It is in the phylum of Actinomycetota and family Mycobacteriaceae. This genus has pathogens that cause serious diseases like Buruli ulcer (Mycobacterium ulcerans), tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis), and leprosy (Mycobacterium leprae) in mammals. Buruli ulcers and leprosy are two diseases that are caused by Mycobacterium species.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Buruli Ulcer
3. What is Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease)
4. Similarities – Buruli Ulcer and Leprosy
5. Buruli Ulcer vs. Leprosy in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Buruli Ulcer vs. Leprosy

What is Buruli Ulcer?

Buruli ulcer was reported for the first time in history in the 1930s in Australia. Since then, it has been reported in over 30 countries around the world. Normally, Buruli ulcer is not contagious. This disease is caused by an atypical mycobacterial species called Mycobacterium ulcerans. The cause of this disease is currently unknown. However, scientists believe that this disease is passed to humans from some insects that are found in water.

The symptoms of a Buruli ulcer include a painless swelling or nodule, a large painless plaque or a diffused painless swelling in the legs, arms, or face, destroyed skin and soft tissue, functional disability or limited movement, and bone infection.

Buruli ulcers can be diagnosed through physical examinations, blood tests, and skin biopsies. Furthermore, treatment options for Buruli ulcers may include giving antibiotics and surgery to remove dead tissues, cover skin defects, or correct deformities.

What is Leprosy?

Leprosy is also known as Hansen’s disease. It is a chronic condition caused by progressive bacterial infection due to Mycobacterium leprae. The main symptoms of leprosy may include muscle weakness, numbness in the hands, arms, feet, and legs, and skin lesions. It is believed that leprosy usually spreads through contact with the mucosal secretions of an infected person while sneezing or coughing. Leprosy is a contagious condition.

Leprosy can be diagnosed through physical examination, skin biopsy, and lepromin skin test. Furthermore, treatment options for leprosy may include several antibiotics such as dapsone, rifampin, clofazimine, minocycline, and ofloxacin, and anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin, prednisone, or thalidomide.

What are the Similarities Between Buruli Ulcer and Leprosy?

• Buruli ulcers and leprosy are two diseases that Mycobacterium causes
• They cause skin damage.
• Both diseases can be diagnosed through physical examination and skin biopsy.
• They can be treated through specific antibiotics.

What is the Difference Between Buruli Ulcer and Leprosy?

Buruli ulcer is caused by a type of bacterium called Mycobacterium ulcerans, while leprosy is caused by a type of bacterium called Mycobacterium leprae. Thus, this is the key difference between buruli ulcer and leprosy. Furthermore, Buruli ulcer is not contagious, while leprosy is contagious.

The infographic below presents the differences between Buruli ulcer and leprosy in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Buruli Ulcer vs. Leprosy

Mycobacterium is a genus containing Gram-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacteria. The species in this genus have a wide variation in host specificity and pathogenic potential. Buruli ulcer and leprosy are two diseases that are caused by Mycobacterium species. Mycobacterium ulcerans is the causative agent of Buruli ulcer. Mycobacterium leprae is the causative agent of leprosy. So, this summarizes the difference between Buruli ulcer and leprosy.

Reference:

1. “Buruli Ulcer.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
2. “Leprosy: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment.” WebMD.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Buruli ulcer distribution” By Paul D. R. Johnson et al. – Buruli ulcer (M. ulcerans infection): new insights, new hope for disease control. „PLoS Med”. 2, pp. e108 (Apr 2005). doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.0020108. PMID 15839744. (CC BY 2.5) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Hand showing leprosy Wellcome L0040719” By Welcome Image Gallery (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia