incidence, nature of causative organisms and histological diagnosis of mycetoma foot in Pakistan

ABSTRACT

The mycetomas are localized, chronic infections associated with sinus formation and purulent discharge containing granules of various colours. We carried out a study in the Pathology Department, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi to find out the incidence and Pattern of mycetomas in our area. The mycetomas were uncommonly diagnosed over a period of 12 years [1980-1991] and only 13 cases of mycetomas of foot were diagnosed in our laboratory. Most of the patients were females [77%] belonging to the 3rd to 5th decades of life. They all came from rural background with poor personal hygiene and belonged to low socioeconomic group. The actimonycetomas were more common as compared to eumycetomas [4.51]. On histopathological examination, Streptomyces somaliensis and actinomyces spp. were most commonly diagnosed [8/13] while Medurella mycetomatis was found in 2 cases only. An early diagnosis alongwith differentiation between actiomycetoma and eumycetoma is imperative to institute appropriate medical treatment or embark on surgical intervention