Mycetoma

black mycetoma

melanoid mycetoma

white mycetoma

ochroid mycetoma

The world's only research centre on mycetoma, a neglected tropical disease common among farmers, has been destroyed in Sudan's two-year war, its director and another expert have said. Mycetoma is caused by bacteria or fungus and usually enters the body through cuts. It is a progressively destructive infectious disease of the body tissue, affecting skin, muscle and even bone. It is often characterised by swollen feet, but can also cause barnacle-like growths and club-like hands. "The centre and all its infrastructure were destroyed during the war in Sudan," Ahmed Fahal, director of the Mycetoma Research Centre (MRC), said. "We lost the entire contents of our biological banks, where there was data from more than 40 years," said Fahal, whose centre had treated thousands of patients from Sudan and other countries. "It's difficult to bear."

Madura foot, or mycetoma, is a chronic inflammatory disease of the foot terminating in extensive undermining of the tissues by sinuses and cavities. In certain districts blackish masses of fungoid capsules and filaments (chionyphe Carteri) are found in the discharges; and with these, or existing alone in other cases, are yellowish particles, which appear to be simply of fatty composition. It is uncertain whether the parasite is a cause or a complication of the disease. The affection is usually very chronic, and rarely repays attempts at conservative treatment.