Landscape Diversity Related to Buruli Ulcer Disease in Côte d'Ivoire

Abstract

BackgroundBuruli ulcer disease (BU), due to the bacteria Mycobacterium ulcerans, represents an important and emerging public health problem, especially in many African countries. Few elements are known nowadays about the routes of transmission of this environmental bacterium to the human population.Methodology/Principal FindingsIn this study, we have investigated the relationships between the incidence of BU in Côte d'Ivoire, western Africa, and a group of environmental variables. These environmental variables concern vegetation, crops (rice and banana), dams, and lakes. Using a geographical information system and multivariate analyses, we show a link between cases of BU and different environmental factors for the first time on a country-wide scale. As a result, irrigated rice field cultures areas, and, to a lesser extent, banana fields as well as areas in the vicinity of dams used for irrigation and aquaculture purposes, represent high-risk zones for the human population to contract BU in Côte d'Ivoire. This is much more relevant in the central part of the country.Conclusions/SignificanceAs already suspected by several case-control studies in different African countries, we strengthen in this work the identification of high-risk areas of BU on a national spatial scale. This first study should now be followed by many others in other countries and at a multi-year temporal scale. This goal implies a strong improvement in data collection and sharing in order to achieve to a global picture of the environmental conditions that drive BU emergence and persistence in human populations.

Landscape Fragmentation as a Risk Factor for Buruli Ulcer Disease in Ghana

“…7,9,30 However, studies on the relationship between landscape diversity and BU disease are still rare. Brou and others 8 reported that landscape diversity was related to BU in Cote d'Ivoire. They found that the BU risk zones were located at irrigated rice field cultures areas, banana fields, and areas close to dams used for irrigation.…”

“…6 These studies highlight an increased understanding of landscape patterns and disease risk, but to date few studies have evaluated the usefulness of pattern metrics on Buruli ulcer (BU) prevalence, 7 despite the fact the changes in land use have been previously reported in association with the disease. [8][9][10] Understanding how landscape patterns influence human disease could aid the development of landscape-level management plans to reduce disease risk.…”

Economic inequality caused by feedbacks between poverty and the dynamics of a rare tropical disease: the case of Buruli ulcer in sub-Saharan Africa

“…Exploitation of natural resources or improvement in infrastructure is necessary for economic growth in tropical countries, but this often comes at the expense of rapid environmental change that can increase the prevalence of local infectious diseases [46]. For instance, changes in agricultural practices, deforestation and the construction of roads and dams have contributed to the emergence of BU endemic areas [18][19][20]. Given the potential that some NTDs have to drag part of the population into poverty, the negative consequences of environmental degradation could fall disproportionally on few individuals, while most of the population enjoys the economic benefits.…”

Evaluation des risques hydro-climatiques et environnementaux liés à l'occurrence de l’ulcère de Buruli dans la région de la Marahoué (Côte d’Ivoire)

“…L'Afrique occidentale semble véritablement touchée par cette maladie depuis deux décennies, avec une recrudescence inquiétante au cours de la présente décennie, malgré sa très faible contagiosité . La Côte d'Ivoire, est un pays endémique à cette pathologie (Brou et al, 2008 ;Fener, 2015). Cette infection occupe le deuxième rang des mycobactériose en Côte d'ivoire après la tuberculose et avant la lèpre .…”