A new Barwon Health clinical trial aims to help reduce significant physical and psychological illnesses caused by the Buruli ulcer.
The Barwon Health Infectious Disease Unit will test the effectiveness of the antibiotic Telacebec in treating the skin disease caused by a bacterium that destroys skin cells, small blood cells, and fat under the skin.
Department director Professor Daniel O’Brien said most Buruli ulcers required up to eight weeks of treatment with a combination of dual antibiotic therapy.
“Current antibiotic treatment is long, requires two different antibiotics, has a high incidence of side- effects, and may cause serious interactions with people’s other medications,” he said.
“Additionally, even with antibiotics, ulcers take many months to heal, requiring costly dressings, regular medical reviews and significant time and inconvenience for the patients.
“The aim is for Buruli ulcer treatment to be significantly shorter, reduced to two to four weeks, require only one antibiotic, be safer and more tolerable, and result in significantly shorter healing times for lesions.”
The number of people affected by the skin disease has increased across the Bellarine Peninsula, Geelong and Surf Coast regions.
Queenscliff resident and Buruli ulcer sufferer Geoffrey Mutton said he was “totally unprepared for the debilitating and painful effects” of having the skin disease since being diagnosed in May.
“A tiny wound that looked like an insect bite (turned into) a large 50 cent coin sized wound in just a couple of weeks, seven weeks of antibiotics and acute inflammation of my foot,” he said.
“Any successful trial of an alternative antibiotic that reduced likelihood of side effects and sped up the healing process would be very welcome for patients unfortunate to have been infected.”
People diagnosed with a Buruli ulcer can look into taking part in the new trial by asking their doctor for a referral to Barwon Health’s Infectious Diseases Service or call Adrian Costa Clinical Trials Centre on 03 4215 2878 for more information.
