![]() It can also be used to monitor azithromycin resistance. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology is used to definitively confirm yaws by detecting the organisms’ DNA in the skin lesions. This simplifies diagnosis in the field and can also be used to monitor interruption of transmission. The dual path platform (DPP) can detect both past and present infection. However, most of them are treponemal-based and cannot distinguish between past and current infection and therefore has a limited use in monitoring interruption of transmission. Rapid treponemal point-of-care (POC) tests are widely available and used in the field. ![]() These tests cannot distinguish yaws from syphilis, however, and the interpretation of results from these tests in adults who live in yaws endemic areas therefore needs careful clinical assessment. Based on the clinical findings, the individual will be classified as suspected yaws case or non-yaws case.įor serological confirmation, traditionally, laboratory-based methods such as Treponema pallidum particle agglutination assay (TPPA) or Treponema pallidum haemagglutination assay (TPHA) and rapid plasma reagin (RPR) are widely used to diagnose treponemal infections (for example, syphilis and yaws). ![]() A clinical diagnosis should be established based on the patient’s history, endemicity of yaws in the area and characteristics of the lesions. ![]() DiagnosisĪll individuals with suspected yaws lesions should be examined by trained health workers. About 40% of ulcers clinically identified as yaws are caused by H. Ulcers caused by Haemophilus ducreyi is an important cause of skin ulcers (mostly on the legs) which clinically mimic the ulcerative form of yaws could complicate clinical diagnosis. Such cases may develop severe and chronic disfigurement of the face and legs and disability resulting in stigma, social exclusion, school absenteeism and restricted participation in the community. Although rarely fatal, this stage affects the bones, joints and soft tissues, and frequently leads to deformities of the skin, cartilage and bone. This destructive, non-infectious stage of the disease is characterized by gumma formation and may appear after a variable period of latency. Tertiary stage: Although spontaneous healing may occur in many cases, a minority may progress from latency to the tertiary stage.Latent yaws can only be detected as a result of serological testing. Latent yaws: If left untreated, the infectious lesions of primary and secondary yaws will heal spontaneously and the disease may enter a period of latency with no physical signs.More generalized and multiple lesions may appear on the face, neck, armpits, arms, leggs and buttocks or pain and swelling of long bones and fingers (dactylitis). Secondary stage: it occurs weeks to months after the primary infection if left untreated with antibiotics and due to the spread of the causative organisms to the blood and lymph.Papilloma and ulcers are very infectious and in the absence of treatment can quickly spread to others. The diagnosis of the ulcerative form is more challenging and requires serological confirmation. Without treatment, the papilloma will ulcerate. In 65-85% of cases, the primary lesions of yaws are seen on the legs and ankles. The papilloma is a typical presentation of yaws and clinical diagnosis is straightforward. The papule may develop into a papilloma which grows gradually. Primary stage: a single papule forms at the organisms´site of entry after the incubation period.The clinical manifestations of untreated disease present in the following stages: The incubation period is between 9 and 90 days, with an average period of 21 days. Humans, specially children, are currently believed to be the only reservoir. Although the lesions may heal spontaneously, some lesions may recur. Yaws is transmitted through direct non sexual contact (from person to person) with fluid from untreated early infectious lesions (papillomas and ulcerations). pallidum subspecies pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis and the causative bacteria of other endemic non venereal trepanomatoses (bejel and pinta). Yaws is caused by infection with a spiral bacterium called Treponema pallidum subspecies pertenue, which is closely related genetically to T. Early detection and treatment can avoid gross disfigurement and disability which occur in about 10% of cases. It is a chronic, disfiguring and debilitating infectious disease which affects mainly the skin, but can also involve the bone and cartilage. Yaws is a skin neglected tropical disease (NTD) targeted for eradication.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |